Assessing the safety of citrate anticoagulation in kidney patients on dialysis

An Open-label, Prospective, Multicenter Study to Assess the SAfety of Regional Citrate Anticoagulation Delivered by the multiFiltratePRO System in Adult Patients Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (SARCA Study)

Phase 3 Interventional Fresenius Medical Care North America · NCT05339139

This study is testing if using citrate instead of heparin as a blood thinner during dialysis can help keep the equipment working better and reduce bleeding problems for patients with severe kidney issues.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorFresenius Medical Care North America Industry-sponsored
Locations10 sites (Little Rock, Arkansas and 9 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05339139 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety of using regional citrate anticoagulation during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in adult patients with acute kidney injury or end-stage kidney disease. It is an open-label, prospective, multicenter trial that utilizes the multiFiltratePRO system to deliver citrate anticoagulation, aiming to improve circuit patency and reduce bleeding complications compared to traditional heparin anticoagulation. The study will involve critically ill patients requiring CRRT, and it seeks to determine the effectiveness and safety of this alternative anticoagulation method.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adult patients aged 18 and older diagnosed with acute kidney injury or end-stage kidney disease requiring continuous renal replacement therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with metabolic alkalosis, severe liver disease, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to safer dialysis treatments with fewer bleeding complications for critically ill patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that regional citrate anticoagulation may improve outcomes in similar patient populations, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed informed consent form by

   * The subject or
   * A legally authorized representative (LAR), if the subject is unable to consent
2. Adult patients ≥ 18 years old
3. Diagnosis of AKI or End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) requiring CRRT
4. Vascular access - Dialysis Catheter with size and location per institutional practice

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Metabolic alkalosis as defined by serum bicarbonate greater than 30 mmol/L and arterial pH greater than 7.55
2. A female who is pregnant or breast feeding
3. Severe liver disease defined as International Normalized Ratio (INR) greater than 2.0 and total bilirubin greater than 5 mg/dl, and both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) greater than 3 times upper limit of normal
4. Subjects currently enrolled in or who have completed any other investigational drug or device study within last 30 days prior to signing informed consent
5. Previous participation in a similar or the same study.
6. Subjects already on continuous renal replacement therapy
7. Subjects with active COVID-19 infection
8. Subjects cannot tolerate citrate therapy defined as severe liver disease (see exclusion criteria #3), shock with muscle hypoperfusion and known hypersensitivity to citrate

Where this trial is running

Little Rock, Arkansas and 9 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Acute Kidney InjuryESRD
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.