Monitoring brain activity during withdrawal of life support
Neurologic Physiology After Removal of Therapy (NeuPaRT): Pilot Multicentre Feasibility Study
This study is testing how brain activity changes when life support is stopped to help understand the timing of death and improve trust in organ donation.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 158 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's Academic / other |
| Locations | 5 sites (Calgary, Alberta and 4 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05306327 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to investigate the timing of brain function cessation in relation to heart function cessation by using electroencephalography (EEG) in patients who are undergoing withdrawal of life-sustaining measures in an intensive care unit. It seeks to provide evidence regarding the neurologic determination of death, particularly in the context of organ donation after circulatory determination of death. By monitoring electrical brain activity, the study will clarify the relationship between brain and heart activity during the dying process, addressing concerns about the current practices in organ donation. The findings could enhance the understanding of death determination and improve trust in the organ donation process.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who are undergoing planned withdrawal of life-sustaining measures and are expected to die within 24 hours.
Not a fit: Patients who are already declared brain dead or those with conditions that prevent neurologic monitoring will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide critical insights that enhance the ethical framework and trust surrounding organ donation practices.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of monitoring brain activity during the dying process is novel, similar studies have not been widely conducted, making this an important and potentially groundbreaking investigation.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 18 years 2. Plan for the withdrawal of life sustaining measures (WLSM) 3. Attending physician anticipates patient will die within 24 hours of the withdrawal of life sustaining measures 4. Patient has an indwelling arterial cannula for monitoring blood pressure Exclusion Criteria: 1. Brain death or plan for Neurologic Determination of Death (NDD) 2. Injuries that anatomically preclude the use of neurologic monitoring
Where this trial is running
Calgary, Alberta and 4 other locations
- University of Calgary Foothills Campus — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Recruiting)
- Kingston Health Sciences Centre — Kingston, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
- London Health Sciences Centre — London, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
- Ottawa Hospital — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Teneille Gofton, MD MSc FRCPC — London Health Sciences Centre
- Study coordinator: Teneille Gofton
- Email: teneille.gofton@lhsc.on.ca
- Phone: 519-663-2911
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.