Carotid Doppler Ultrasound for Fluid Responsiveness in Sepsis
Official title: Comparative Evaluation of Common Carotid Artery Blood Flow (CCABF) and Transthoracic Echocardiographic Cardiac Output (TTE-CO) for Assessing Fluid Responsiveness in Septic Patients on Ventilator.
Run by Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences · NCT07653568 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether measuring blood flow in the common carotid artery with bedside Doppler can predict which septic, ventilated patients will respond to fluids, compared with heart ultrasound measurements.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 12 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 94 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Islamabad, Federal Area) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 29, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 18, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07653568 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with sepsis requiring mechanical ventilation in the ICU who show signs indicating fluid assessment or resuscitation may be eligible.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not respond to fluid challenges or have conditions limiting ultrasound evaluation may not benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional study in the ICU compares carotid artery Doppler ultrasound to transthoracic echocardiography for predicting fluid responsiveness in adults with sepsis on mechanical ventilation. A passive leg raise maneuver is used as a reversible preload challenge, followed by sequential ultrasound assessments to gauge circulatory response. Participants may receive a crystalloid fluid bolus to evaluate changes in hemodynamics measured by the two imaging methods. The goal is to determine if carotid Doppler can provide a rapid, bedside alternative to echocardiography in guiding fluid resuscitation. The study is conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad and focuses on improving safe fluid management in critical care sepsis patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians could use carotid Doppler ultrasound at the bedside to quickly identify which septic patients will benefit from fluids, potentially reducing delays and complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has explored noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring in critical illness, with some methods showing promise but this carotid Doppler approach in sepsis remains comparatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* • Adults with sepsis requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit
* Patients requiring fluid assessment or fluid resuscitation based on clinical findings, including one or more of the following:
* Heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute
* Systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg
* Mean arterial pressure less than 65 mmHg
* Urine output less than 0.5 mL/kg/hour for at least 2 hours
Exclusion Criteria:
* Intracranial pathology associated with raised intracranial pressure, including intracerebral hemorrhage or space-occupying lesions
* Recent neurosurgical procedures or conditions where passive leg raising may increase intracranial pressure
* Known heart failure
* Significant cardiac arrhythmias
* Significant valvular heart disease
* Status asthmaticus
* Pulmonary hypertension
* Pulmonary embolism
* Pregnancy
* Lower limb conditions preventing passive leg raising, including fractures
* Intra-abdominal hypertension
* Recent abdominal surgery
* Known carotid artery disease or common carotid artery stenosis greater than 50%
Where it's running
-
Pakistan Institute Of Medical Sciences
Islamabad, Federal Area, Pakistan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Sana Zulfiqar, MBBS
- Email: sanazulfiqar53@gmail.com
- Phone: +923335329538
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.