Angiotensin-based treatment strategy in septic shock
Official title: Dysfunctional Renin-Angiotensin System in Septic Shock
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11393608 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinical trial will compare giving Angiotensin II versus standard norepinephrine to support blood pressure in septic shock patients, aiming to improve outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $758,030 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL177834-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393608 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with septic shock who require vasopressor support and meet predefined eligibility criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not respond to Ang II or may experience adverse effects, offering no clear benefit over standard therapy.
What this research studies
Sepsis and septic shock remain deadly; this project tests whether replacing norepinephrine with Angiotensin II can better stabilize blood pressure and perfusion in patients with septic shock. The study uses a randomized design to directly compare exogenous Ang II to conventional care and to explore RAAS-related biomarkers as predictors of response. By focusing on the RAAS pathway, the trial seeks to identify which patients benefit most from Ang II and how this approach could personalize treatment early in the illness. The research is conducted at Wake Forest University Health Sciences under Mark C. Chappell, with careful monitoring of safety and clinical outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with septic shock could receive more effective blood pressure support and potentially improved survival through a RAAS-targeted treatment approach.
How similar studies have gone: This approach builds on prior findings that RAAS activity correlates with outcomes in septic shock and tests a novel Ang II strategy in a randomized trial.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chappell, Mark C — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Chappell, Mark C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Pragmatic midodrine trial to reduce ICU vasopressor use in septic shock
A practical, patient-focused trial tests whether taking oral midodrine can lessen the need for IV vasopressors and shorten ICU stays for people with sepsis-related low blood pressure.
-
Personalized vasopressor therapy for septic shock
A clinician-scientist at Cleveland Clinic aims to tailor vasopressor treatment for septic shock patients using patient-specific factors.
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Percutaneous stellate ganglion stimulation to support blood pressure in septic shock
A small, portable neuromodulation device would be tested to help people with septic shock maintain blood pressure while doctors adjust medicines.
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Macrophage metabolism and septic shock in humans
A study at Boston Children’s Hospital will explore how immune cells’ metabolism affects severe infection (septic shock) and whether targeting this metabolic pathway could help patients.
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Blood transfusions and organ failure in children with septic shock
This project looks at how a child’s circulation, immune status, and the type of red blood cells given affect recovery and organ problems during septic shock in young children.
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How immune cell metabolism affects septic shock
This study is looking at how the way immune cells use energy affects the body's reaction to septic shock, which can happen after a severe infection, and it hopes to find new ways to help people with sepsis feel better by reducing harmful inflammation.
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.