Continuous versus bolus norepinephrine during anesthesia induction for postinduction hypotension

Continuous Versus Bolus Norepinephrine Administration to Treat Postinduction Hypotension in High-Risk Non-Cardiac Surgery Patients - The Multicenter INDUCT Trial (INDUCT-Multi)

Not applicable Interventional Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf · NCT07538388

This trial will test whether giving norepinephrine as a continuous infusion instead of repeated boluses during induction of general anesthesia reduces low blood pressure in high-risk non-cardiac surgery patients.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment446 (estimated)
Ages45 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Düsseldorf and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07538388 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

INDUCT-Multi is a multicenter, randomized comparison of continuous norepinephrine infusion versus repeated bolus dosing started during induction of general anesthesia. The trial enrolls consenting patients aged 45 and older having elective major non-cardiac surgery who will have radial arterial catheter monitoring and carry predefined risk factors for acute kidney injury. Continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring is used during induction and the assigned norepinephrine strategy is applied to maintain blood pressure. The main focus is on reducing the frequency and severity of postinduction hypotension, with secondary interest in downstream organ injury such as acute kidney injury and overall hemodynamic stability.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are consenting adults (≥45 years) scheduled for elective major non-cardiac surgery with planned continuous radial arterial blood pressure monitoring and at least two specified risk factors for perioperative acute kidney injury.

Not a fit: Patients unlikely to benefit include those with a clinical indication for continuous norepinephrine already, active cardiac arrhythmias, pregnancy, certain intracranial conditions, or those unable to consent in German or who will not have arterial line monitoring.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could produce more stable blood pressure during induction and reduce episodes of severe hypotension and related complications such as acute kidney injury.

How similar studies have performed: A prior single-center randomized trial showed improved blood pressure stability with continuous norepinephrine, but multicenter confirmation is limited and this trial seeks broader validation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

We will include consenting patients ≥45 years scheduled for elective major non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia with planned continuous intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring with a radial arterial catheter and with at least two of the following risk criteria for developing acute kidney injury:

* Age ≥65 years
* ASA physical status III or IV
* Chronic arterial hypertension
* Diabetes mellitus requiring medication
* Intra-abdominal surgery
* Preoperative renal insufficiency (serum creatinine ≥1.2 mg/dL)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy
* Cardiac arrhythmia
* History of intracranial hemorrhage or intracranial aneurysm
* Clinical indication for continuous norepinephrine infusion during induction of general anesthesia (e.g., severe aortic valve stenosis, coronary artery disease, or heart failure)
* Patients who are unable to understand, read, and provide informed consent in German

Where this trial is running

Düsseldorf and 3 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 Postinduction Hypotensionpostinduction hypotensionnon-cardiac surgerynorepinephrinebolushypotensioncontinuous
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.