Comparing two medications to prevent kidney injury after surgery
Official title: The choice of vasopressor to prevent postoperative acute kidney injury after major non-cardiac surgery: a multicenter pragmatic cluster cross-over randomized trial (the VEGA-2 trial)
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10860868 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well two medications, norepinephrine and phenylephrine, can help prevent kidney problems after major surgery for patients who are at risk of low blood pressure during their operation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $675,175 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK139484-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10860868 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 65 and older who are scheduled for major non-cardiac surgeries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients undergoing minor surgeries or those not at risk for postoperative acute kidney injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of two vasopressors, norepinephrine and phenylephrine, in preventing postoperative acute kidney injury (PO-AKI) in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. The study will involve multiple medical centers and will use a pragmatic cluster cross-over design, allowing for real-world application of findings. Patients will be monitored for hypotension during surgery, as this condition is linked to a higher risk of kidney injury. The goal is to determine which vasopressor is more effective in reducing the incidence of PO-AKI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing kidney injury in surgical patients, enhancing recovery and reducing complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown varying success with different vasopressors in similar contexts, but this specific comparison is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Legrand, Matthieu — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Legrand, Matthieu
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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.