Improving Blood Flow Measurement for Shock Treatment

Tissue Perfusion Pressure for Improved Management of Circulatory Shock

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11122275

This project aims to find a better way to measure blood flow in patients experiencing circulatory shock, a serious condition where organs don't get enough blood.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11122275 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Circulatory shock is a critical condition often leading to an intensive care unit stay, where organs don't receive enough blood due to low blood pressure and flow. While doctors currently use general blood pressure targets, these don't always show how well blood is reaching individual tissues. This project is developing a new measurement called tissue perfusion pressure (TPP) to provide a more accurate picture of blood flow. TPP considers the difference between your overall blood pressure and the point at which blood flow stops in your arteries. This new approach, informed by data from many patients, could help doctors tailor treatment more precisely to each person's needs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant for patients admitted to the intensive care unit with circulatory shock caused by conditions like heart failure, sepsis, or severe bleeding.

Not a fit: Patients not experiencing circulatory shock or those whose condition is not related to inadequate blood pressure and blood flow would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this new measurement could help doctors provide more personalized and effective treatment for patients in circulatory shock, potentially preventing organ damage and saving lives.

How similar studies have performed: Current guidelines for managing shock have not consistently shown a mortality benefit for higher versus lower blood pressure goals, indicating that new, more precise measures like TPP are needed.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.