Can a bedside heart ultrasound save lives in cirrhosis patients with sepsis?

NCT ID NCT07286643

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study compares two ways to manage fluids in cirrhosis patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. One method uses a bedside heart ultrasound (POCUS) to guide fluid amounts, while the other follows standard sepsis guidelines. The goal is to see if ultrasound-guided care reduces the amount of fluid needed and prevents complications like fluid buildup in the lungs. The trial will enroll 140 critically ill adults in the ICU.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Point-of-care echocardiogram (POCUS) guided fluid resuscitation
What this could lead to: If successful, this could establish a better way to manage fluids in cirrhosis patients with sepsis, potentially reducing lung complications and improving survival.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early feasibility trial (140 participants) at a single center. The approach may not show clear benefits over standard care, and results may not apply to all patients.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 140 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Jan 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Dec 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

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

18 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Critically ill patient with cirrhosis of any etiology 2. Sepsis-related Hypotension (MAP \<65mmHg or SBP \<90mmHg) 3. 18-65 yrs of age - Exclusion Criteria: 1. Already on vasopressors/inotropes 2. Severe pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease like porto-pulmonary hypertension (PPH), known coronary artery disease, congenital or valvular heart disease, prosthetic cardiac valves, dilated or restrictive cardiomyopathy. 3. Poor chest wall window due to left pleural effusion, left pneumothorax, small intercostal spaces that restrict performance of a POCUS. 4. Active bleeding like variceal bleed 5. Cerebrovascular events 6. Chronic renal disease - End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)/ patient on renal replacement therapy 7. Admission to ICU following liver transplantation, burns, cardiac surgery 8. Previous transjugular intra hepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), 9. Hepatocellular carcinoma 10. Pregnant or lactating women 11. Informed consent refused by patient or attendants 12. Active COVID-19 infection

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cirrhosis of liver cirrhotic cardiomyopathy toxic shock syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Cirrhosis, liver Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy Septic shock

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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.

Can a bedside heart ultrasound save lives in cirrhosis patients with sepsis?

What the study statuses mean