Metabolism and muscle recovery after an ICU stay
Characterisation of the Inflammatory, Metabolic, and Mitochondrial Profiles in the Context of Post-Intensive Care Muscle Dysfunction
We will test whether blood and muscle metabolic and inflammatory markers can help predict how well adults recover muscle strength over three months after an ICU stay or major abdominal surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Liege Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Liège) |
| Trial ID | NCT07329530 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-center study recruits adults who survived a critical illness with an anticipated ICU stay of seven days or more and elective major abdominal surgery patients as a comparison group. Investigators will collect blood samples for inflammation markers, nucleosomes, erythrocyte membrane fatty acids, and myokines, and measure resting energy expenditure. Muscle performance will be measured at discharge and followed over three months, with muscle biopsies, bioelectrical impedance, and indirect calorimetry used when feasible. The goal is to link metabolic and neuroendocrine profiles to trajectories of muscle function after ICU discharge.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults who survived a critical illness with an anticipated ICU stay of at least seven days or adults undergoing elective major abdominal surgery who can provide informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with active malignancy, known muscle or inherited metabolic disorders, pregnancy, inability to consent, or contraindications to muscle biopsy, bioelectrical impedance, or indirect calorimetry are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help identify patients at high risk for prolonged muscle weakness so they can receive earlier or more targeted rehabilitation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown persistent inflammation and associations with ICU-acquired muscle weakness, but comprehensive metabolic and myokine profiling to predict individual recovery trajectories is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria * Critical illness: * anticipated ICU stay \>= 7 days * Major abdominal surgery * elective surgery Exclusion Criteria: * Active malignancy * Inherited metabolic disorder * Known muscle disease * Pregnancy * Patient refusal * Patient unable to express informed consent (dementia, confusion) * Known coagulation disorder (cirrhosis, genetic coagulopathy) or thrombocytopenia \< 100,000/mm³ on the day of biopsy, anemia with hemoglobin \< 9 g/dL on the day of biopsy, or treatment with anticoagulant agents (contraindication to muscle biopsies only) * Pacemaker or other implanted electronic device (contraindication to bioelectrical impedance analysis only) * Oxygen therapy (contraindication to indirect calorimetry during spontaneous ventilation)
Where this trial is running
Liège
- CHU Sart Tilman — Liège, Belgium (Recruiting)
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.