Investigating blood product use in liver cirrhosis patients

Coagulation in Cirrhosis

PHASE4 · Medical University of Vienna · NCT05667805

This study tests if giving less blood and clotting products to patients with liver cirrhosis before minor procedures is safe and helpful compared to giving more.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMedical University of Vienna (other)
Locations1 site (Vienna)
Trial IDNCT05667805 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study examines whether patients with liver cirrhosis benefit from a restrictive approach to administering blood and coagulation products before minor interventions. It focuses on patients who have deranged coagulation parameters but no history of bleeding. The trial will involve 400 patients at the General Hospital of Vienna, divided into two groups: one receiving liberal treatment and the other receiving a restrictive treatment regimen. The goal is to determine if a more conservative approach can be effective and safe for these patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with diagnosed liver cirrhosis and specific coagulation abnormalities scheduled for elective invasive liver interventions.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of bleeding or clinical signs of hemorrhagic diathesis will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could reduce unnecessary blood product transfusions in liver cirrhosis patients, minimizing risks and costs.

How similar studies have performed: While similar studies have explored coagulation management in cirrhosis, this specific restrictive approach is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Patients at the University Hospital of Vienna with diagnosed liver cirrhosis and deranged coagulation parameters (INR \>1,5 AND/ OR platelet count \<50 G/L) who are scheduled for one of the following elective invasive interventions of the liver

* Biopsy or puncture
* Microwave ablation (MWA) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
* Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
* Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography drain (PTCD)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Missing informed consent or inability to consent
* Age \< 18 years
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Manifest ascites
* Chronic kidney injury stage G4 or G5, KDIGO
* Uninterrupted anticoagulant therapy, except for acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
* History of bleeding or clinical signs of a hemorrhagic diathesis in the physical examination (e.g., petechia, ecchymosis, mucosal bleeding, hemorrhagic diathesis within the family, menorrhagia, prolonged bleeding after surgery)

Where this trial is running

Vienna

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: Liver Cirrhosis, Patient Blood Management, Platelet Concentrates, Transfusion, Coagulation

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.