Norepinephrine vs phenylephrine to reduce kidney injury after major non-cardiac 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-11400034 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large, real-world trial will compare two common vasopressors to see which helps prevent kidney injury after major non-heart surgeries.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $688,106 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK139484-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400034 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing major non-cardiac surgery who require vasopressor support during the procedure.
✕Less likely to help
If kidney injury risk is not reduced by the chosen vasopressor, patients may not experience additional benefit.
What this research studies
This pragmatic, multicenter trial tests whether using norepinephrine instead of phenylephrine during surgery lowers the risk of acute kidney injury. It uses a cluster cross-over design, meaning participating hospitals switch between vasopressors over time to reflect real clinical practice. Results could shape how anesthesiologists manage blood pressure to protect kidney health during and after surgery. The study will enroll adults, including older patients, undergoing major non-cardiac procedures. Outcomes will include kidney-related events, hospital stay, and safety signals related to the drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the preferred vasopressor could reduce kidney injury after surgery and shorten hospital stays.
How similar studies have gone: Previous evidence links intraoperative hypotension and vasopressor choice to kidney outcomes, but the optimal vasopressor remains uncertain.
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.