Hypotension Prediction Index for free-flap reconstruction in head and neck surgery

The Hypotension Prediction Index in Free Flap Transplant in Head and Neck Surgery - a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

NA · Poznan University of Medical Sciences · NCT05738603

This will test whether using the Hypotension Prediction Index reduces episodes of low blood pressure during free-flap reconstruction for people having head and neck cancer surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment206 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorPoznan University of Medical Sciences (other)
Locations1 site (Poznan, Poznań)
Trial IDNCT05738603 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults scheduled for head and neck free-flap reconstruction will receive intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring using the Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI) to alert clinicians to impending drops in mean arterial pressure. The study aims to lower the time-weighted average of intraoperative hypotension below a MAP threshold of 65 mmHg and to link hypotension episodes with free-flap viability and postoperative complications. Investigators will record intraoperative blood pressure metrics and correlate them with flap function and complication rates after surgery. Patients with major arrhythmias, severe valvular disease, heart failure with ejection fraction below 35%, pregnancy, age under 18, or lacking health insurance are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults scheduled for head and neck free-flap reconstruction who can give written informed consent and do not have exclusions such as persistent atrial fibrillation, severe aortic/mitral stenosis, EF <35%, pregnancy, or lack of insurance.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, pregnant patients, those without health insurance, or those with persistent atrial fibrillation, severe valvular stenosis, or heart failure with EF <35% are excluded and would not receive potential benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, HPI-guided monitoring could reduce intraoperative hypotension and improve free-flap survival and function after head and neck cancer reconstruction.

How similar studies have performed: HPI-guided hemodynamic monitoring has reduced intraoperative hypotension in other surgical populations, but its specific effect on free-flap outcomes in head and neck reconstruction is novel and unproven.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients qualified to head and neck free flap surgery
* Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients under 18 years
* Lack of health insurance
* Pregnancy
* Known history of congenital heart disease, severe aortic and/or mitral stenosis, heart failure and ejection fraction \< 35 %
* Persistent atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias impairing arterial pressure-based cardiac output (APCO) monitoring

Where this trial is running

Poznan, Poznań

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Hypotension, Head and Neck Cancer, Perioperative Complication, Postoperative Complications, Hypotension Prediction Index, Free Flap Transplant, Perioperative Complications

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.