Understanding Brain Injury During ECMO Treatment
DELTA ECMO ABI study (Assessing Acute Brain Injury after Rapid Reduction of PaCO2 upon ECMO Cannulation using Portable MRI and Biomarkers)
This research looks at why some people develop brain injury when they receive life-saving ECMO support for severe heart and lung failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163474 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When patients need ECMO for severe heart and lung problems, they often have high levels of carbon dioxide in their blood, which is quickly lowered once ECMO begins. We believe this rapid change in carbon dioxide levels might cause blood vessels in the brain to narrow, reducing oxygen delivery and leading to brain injury. To understand this better, we will use portable MRI scans and look at specific markers in the blood during the first 24 hours of ECMO treatment. Our goal is to find out how these early changes affect patient outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for patients experiencing severe heart and lung failure who require ECMO treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who do not require ECMO for severe heart and lung failure would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent brain injury in patients receiving ECMO, improving their recovery and long-term health.
How similar studies have performed: While ECMO is a known life-saving therapy, there is currently a limited understanding of why acute brain injury occurs during the process, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cho, Sung-Min — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Cho, Sung-Min
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.