Femoral versus radial arterial pressure monitoring during cardiac surgery
Femoral Versus Radial Artery Catheterization for Invasive Arterial Pressure Monitoring in Cardiac Surgery Patients: the FERARI Randomized Superiority Study
This trial tests whether femoral arterial catheters give more accurate continuous blood pressure readings than radial catheters in adults undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 340 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besancon Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Besançon and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06952907 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
In this interventional protocol adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass will receive either femoral or radial arterial catheterization for continuous invasive blood pressure monitoring and the readings will be compared. The study compares central (femoral) versus peripheral (radial) arterial pressure signals during and after surgery and examines impacts on vasopressor dosing and hemodynamic management. The rationale is that radial measurements can underestimate central pressure in patients on vasopressors, potentially leading to overtreatment. The trial is conducted at two French university hospitals and enrolls consenting adults covered by the French national health insurance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18 years) scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass who can give informed consent and are affiliated with the French national health insurance system.
Not a fit: Patients undergoing emergency surgery, heart transplantation, surgeries requiring two arterial monitoring sites, those on mechanical circulatory support, or with contraindications to radial or femoral catheterization are unlikely to benefit from this comparison.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, femoral monitoring could reduce unnecessary vasopressor use and related complications by providing more accurate central blood pressure measurements.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational studies suggest radial arterial pressure often underestimates central pressure in shock states, but high-quality randomized evidence comparing femoral and radial monitoring is lacking.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female patients ≥18 years * Scheduled cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (time between anesthesia consultation and surgery \> 48 hours) * ASA physical status ≥II * Affiliation with or beneficiary of the French national health insurance system * Signed informed consent indicating that the participant has understood the purpose and procedures of the study and agrees to participate and comply with its requirements and restrictions Exclusion Criteria: * Emergency surgery (before the next working day after decision to operate) * Surgery requiring the use of two arterial pressure monitoring sites: e.g., aortic arch surgery, aortic dissection, etc. * Heart transplantation surgery * Mechanical circulatory support * Contraindication to radial artery catheterization: failed Allen test, Raynaud syndrome, Buerger disease, major hyperlipidemia * Contraindication to femoral artery catheterization: puncture of vascular prosthetic material in the femoral area (e.g., femoral bypass, femoral stenting, femoral trifurcation endarterectomy, femoral angioplasty) * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Persons deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision; persons under compulsory psychiatric care; persons admitted to a healthcare or social institution for reasons other than research * Adults under legal protection measures (guardianship, trusteeship, or legal safeguard) or unable to give informed consent * Subjects currently under exclusion period of another clinical trial or listed in the national registry of research volunteers
Where this trial is running
Besançon and 1 other locations
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon — Besançon, France (Recruiting)
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Dijon — Dijon, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Guillaume Besch, M.D., Ph.D. — Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon
- Study coordinator: Guillaume Besch, M.D., Ph.D.
- Email: gbesch@chu-besancon.fr
- Phone: +333 812 189 58
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.