Investigating heart injury in septic shock patients

Coronary Microcirculation and Troponin Elevation in Septic Shock

Karolinska Institutet · NCT06294730

This study is trying to find out why some patients with septic shock have high levels of a heart protein, by looking at their heart's blood vessels to see if the problem comes from blocked arteries or smaller blood vessel issues.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorKarolinska Institutet (other)
Locations1 site (Stockholm)
Trial IDNCT06294730 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study examines the reasons behind elevated cardiac troponin levels in patients experiencing septic shock. It focuses on whether these elevations are due to underlying coronary artery disease or issues within the coronary microcirculation. Fifty patients aged 40 to 85 with elevated high-sensitive cardiac troponin T levels will undergo coronary angiography and microcirculatory resistance assessment. The findings aim to clarify the relationship between microcirculatory dysfunction and troponin elevation, potentially guiding future research to improve patient outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 40 to 85 who meet the Sepsis-3 criteria and have elevated hs-cTnT levels.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of significant cardiac conditions or severe renal impairment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding and management of myocardial injury in septic patients, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research into cardiac troponin levels in sepsis, this specific approach to investigate coronary microcirculation is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients fulfilling the Sepsis-3 definition of and diagnostic criteria for sepsis or septic shock
* Age 40 - 85 years
* Life expectancy \> 1 year
* hs-cTnT values \>15 ng/L

Exclusion Criteria:

* pregnancy
* previous medical history of coronary artery by-pass grafting
* heart transplant
* previously verified ejection fraction (EF) ≤39% prior to hospital admission
* Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Septum \> 15 mm)
* severe aortic stenosis
* amyloidosis or sarcoidosis with myocardial engagement
* estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<30 mL/min/1.73m2 prior to hospital admission
* asthma
* infectious endocarditis
* a medical history of abdominal, thoracic, or orthopaedic surgery within the last three months prior to hospital admission.

Where this trial is running

Stockholm

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: Sepsis, Myocardial Injury, Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction, Endothelial Dysfunction, sepsis, cardiac troponin, myocardial injury, coronary microvascular dysfunction

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.