ECMO breakthrough? major trial aims to cut deadly complications
NCT ID NCT06526533
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is testing different treatments to reduce major complications and improve survival in 600 adults who need ECMO—a machine that does the work of the heart and lungs. Researchers will compare how well these treatments work in the first 28 days. The goal is to find safer, more effective ways to care for critically ill patients on ECMO.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 600 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
PLATFORM INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Patients receiving ECMO * Patients enrolled in the EXCEL Registry - NCT03793257 PLATFORM EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Treating clinician regards death as imminent and inevitable * Treating clinician determines it is not in the patient's best interests RBC TRANSFUSION DOMAIN INCLUSION CRITERIA: • Aged 18 years or older RBC TRANSFUSION DOMAIN EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Contraindication to RBC transfusion (including known patient preference) * Limitations of care put in place either through patient wishes or the treating medical teams. * Participant has already received ECMO \>12 hours. The start of ECMO is defined as the time of initiation of extracorporeal blood flow unless ECMO was initiated during a surgical intervention in which case the start of ECMO is defined as the arrival time into the initial ICU (post-surgery) * The treating physician anticipates that ECMO treatment will cease before the end of tomorrow * The treating physician deems the study is not in the patient's best interest * The treating physician has concern regarding patient ability to tolerate restrictive or liberal transfusion trigger thresholds * Actively listed for a solid organ transplant and has not yet received one * Suspected or confirmed to be pregnant * Previous ECMO treatment during the same hospital admission
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
3 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGCamperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
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St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney
RECRUITINGSydney, New South Wales, 2010, Australia
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The Alfred Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGMelbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
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