Extrait

Background and study aims Severe sepsis or septic shock occurs when your blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level after an infection. Treatment involves giving fluids through a vein and giving drugs that increase the volume of blood pumped by the heart (cardiac output). Doctors often need to know about the effect of a treatment on the cardiac output, but measuring the cardiac output requires expensive equipment. In all seriously ill patients a tube is inserted into a large vein in the chest (called a central venous catheter) to measure the blood pressure in the central veins and for giving drugs. The levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the central venous blood can be measured from the blood samples taken from the central venous catheter. In this study we want to find out whether changes in the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide could be used to assess changes in cardiac output without the need for expensive equipment. Who can participate? Patients aged over 18 admitted to the ICU with sepsis. What does the study involve? All patients receive standard resuscitation treatment after being admitted to the ICU. Fluids, red blood cells and drugs are given to maintain blood pressure. A catheter is inserted into an artery to determine the cardiac output. If a patient is likely to increase cardiac output in response to fluids, fluids are given accordingly. Blood samples for blood gas analysis are drawn simultaneously from the arterial and central venous line (2 ml each). Three consecutive measurements of blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels are performed and the average is calculated and used for further statistical analysis. Immediately after any series of blood samples cardiac output is recorded. Another set of blood samples is taken and cardiac output is measured again after the intervention to increase cardiac output is finished What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Not provided at time of registration Where is the study run from? James Cook University Hospital (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? October 2010 to October 2011 Who is funding the study? James Cook University Hospital and NIHR Clinical Research Network Flexibility & Sustainability Funding (UK) Who is the main contact? Dr Jost Mullenheim

Critère d'inclusion

• Sepsis

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn