Using deferoxamine to prevent kidney injury after heart surgery

Deferoxamine for the Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury

['FUNDING_R01'] · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · NIH-10889979

This study is looking at whether a medication called deferoxamine can help prevent kidney problems in adults who are at high risk and having heart surgery, and it will involve 300 patients from three hospitals in Boston.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorBRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10889979 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of deferoxamine, an iron-chelating agent, to prevent acute kidney injury (AKI) in adults undergoing cardiac surgery. The study will enroll 300 high-risk patients at three major academic medical centers in Boston, randomly assigning them to receive either deferoxamine or a placebo before and during surgery. The primary goal is to determine if deferoxamine can reduce the incidence of postoperative AKI, measured by changes in serum creatinine and urine output. Secondary outcomes will include monitoring for other complications such as myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are at high risk for acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing cardiac surgery or those with pre-existing severe kidney disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, improving recovery and long-term health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that iron plays a significant role in the development of acute kidney injury, suggesting that this approach could be promising, although the specific use of deferoxamine in this context is being tested in this novel trial.

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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.