A Quick Test for Blood Vessel Damage in Sepsis
Optimization of a rapid assay to quantify circulating glycosaminoglycans and identify vascular endotypes of sepsis
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11327913
This project is developing a fast and affordable test to measure specific markers in blood or urine that show how blood vessels are affected by sepsis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11327913 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Sepsis can damage the delicate lining of your blood vessels, called the glycocalyx, which is made of substances called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). When this lining breaks down, fragments of GAGs enter your bloodstream, and higher levels are linked to worse outcomes in people with sepsis. Currently, measuring these GAGs is expensive and slow, so this project aims to improve a quicker, more affordable test that can be used at the patient's bedside. Researchers are working to make sure this new test is accurate in blood and urine, helping doctors understand the severity of sepsis and tailor treatments. This could help identify different ways sepsis affects blood vessels, leading to more personalized care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with sepsis who could benefit from a faster and more precise understanding of their condition might be ideal candidates for future applications of this research.
Not a fit: Patients without sepsis or conditions related to blood vessel damage from infection would not directly benefit from this specific diagnostic tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this rapid test could help doctors quickly understand the severity of sepsis and guide treatment decisions, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While the gold-standard mass spectrometry method for GAGs is established, this project focuses on optimizing a novel, rapid, and inexpensive colorimetric assay for bedside use, building on preliminary work.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SCHMIDT, ERIC PETER — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: SCHMIDT, ERIC PETER
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.