Evaluating ventilation strategies for ARDS patients on ECMO

Mechanical Ventilation to Accelerate Recovery of Lung Function in Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Lung Rest Or Moderate Mechanical Ventilation in ECMO: Randomized Trial

Not applicable Interventional Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust · NCT06006676

This study is testing if giving fewer breaths per minute helps patients with severe lung problems on ECMO breathe better and recover faster.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Academic / other
Locations1 site (London)
Trial IDNCT06006676 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This feasibility trial aims to assess the practicality of implementing near apnoeic ventilation, which involves providing only two breaths per minute, compared to standard ventilation rates for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who are on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The study will also explore two different strategies for weaning patients off ECMO once they are deemed ready. By focusing on reducing ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), the trial seeks to improve patient outcomes in this critical care setting. The findings will inform a future multicenter randomized control trial.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with acute, reversible ARDS requiring ECMO support.

Not a fit: Patients who are unlikely to survive or are not expected to benefit from life-sustaining therapies within 24 hours will not receive benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved lung recovery and reduced complications for ARDS patients on ECMO.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of near apnoeic ventilation is promising, it is still being explored and has not been widely tested in similar studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria

* Adult patients aged 18 years or older on the date of screening
* Acute and potentially reversible cause of ARDS
* Receiving invasive mechanical ventilation
* Requiring ECMO for severe ARDS
* Tidal volume ≥ 2.5ml/kg predicted body weight

Exclusion criteria:

Patients who meet the one or more of the following will be excluded from the trial.

* Declined consent
* \>12 hours following ECMO initiation
* Patient likely to die or for withdrawal of life sustaining therapies within 24 hours
* Use of V-A ECMO or hybrid ECMO modes
* Current pregnancy

Where this trial is running

London

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 ARDSCritical CareECMO
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.