Examining the link between gut injury and blood flow in critically ill patients

Correlation Between Acute Gastrointestinal Injury and Venous Return in Critical Ill Patients

This study is trying to see if there's a connection between gut injury and blood flow in critically ill patients by using special ultrasound techniques.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 200 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Peking Union Medical College Hospital (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Beijing, Beijing)
• Trial ID: NCT06667297 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the relationship between acute gastrointestinal injury and venous return in critically ill patients using advanced ultrasound techniques. The research employs the Venous Excess Ultrasound Score (VExUS) to assess blood flow in intestinal vessels and the Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Score (GIDS) to evaluate bowel function. By categorizing venous return status and bowel function, the study aims to provide a more objective assessment of gastrointestinal perfusion in critically ill patients, addressing a significant gap in current diagnostic practices.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 to 80 who are experiencing sepsis and are expected to stay in the ICU for more than three days.

Not a fit: Patients with severe mesenteric or abdominal artery stenosis, recent abdominal surgeries, or contraindications for intra-abdominal pressure measurement may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved early diagnosis and management of acute gastrointestinal injury in critically ill patients.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been limited research on this specific correlation, the use of ultrasound in assessing gastrointestinal blood flow has shown promise in related studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with sepsis with an expected ICU stay of more than 3 days.
2. ≥18 years of age and \<80 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe mesenteric or abdominal artery stenosis;
2. Fixed body (such as recent spinal surgery or intracranial hypertension);
3. Patients with contraindications for IAP measurement (such as patients who have recently undergone bladder surgery, been injured, or become pregnant）
4. Having undergone abdominal surgery or chest lowering involving the intestines patients undergoing aortic surgery;
5. Poor quality of abdominal ultrasound images;
6. Hydrothorax or ascites.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing

• Department of Critical Care Medicine of pekin union medical college hospital — Beijing, Beijing, China (RECRUITING)

Conditions: Acute Gastrointestinal Injury, Critical Illness, Acute gastrointestinal injury, Venous Excess Ultrasound Score