Monitoring intestinal blood flow after feeding to predict gut injury in critically ill patients

Correlation Study Between SMA Blood Flow Reactivity and Acute Gastrointestinal Functional Injury in Critically Ill Patients

Peking Union Medical College Hospital · NCT07001943

We will test whether bedside Doppler measurements of superior mesenteric artery blood flow after enteral feeding can predict acute gastrointestinal injury in adult ICU patients.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorPeking Union Medical College Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality)
Trial IDNCT07001943 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will use bedside Doppler ultrasound to measure superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow before and after enteral feeding in adult ICU patients. Investigators will record SMA flow changes alongside standard hemodynamic measurements and clinical markers of acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI). They will analyze patterns of SMA reactivity, develop a predictive model linking SMA changes to AGI risk, and explore how those findings could inform individualized enteral nutrition strategies. All data collection will occur in the ICU at Peking Union Medical College Hospital for patients who meet eligibility criteria.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–80 years old admitted to the ICU at Peking Union Medical College Hospital with an expected stay >72 hours who require initiation of enteral nutrition and have no contraindications to bedside Doppler.

Not a fit: Patients with pre-existing severe gastrointestinal disease, active gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel obstruction, pregnancy or lactation, or contraindications to Doppler ultrasound may not receive benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enable personalized enteral feeding that reduces AGI incidence and improves ICU outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows SMA blood flow changes with feeding and relates to intestinal perfusion, but using bedside SMA reactivity specifically to predict AGI and guide individualized enteral nutrition is relatively novel and not yet widely validated.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged ≥18 years and ≤80 years.
* Admitted to the study with a expected stay of more than 72 hours.
* Require initiation of enteral nutrition support.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pre-existing severe gastrointestinal diseases.
* Patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.
* Patients with bowel obstruction.
* Pregnant or lactating women.
* Patients with contraindications to bedside Doppler ultrasound.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing Municipality

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: Intestinal Ischemia, Critical Illness, Enteral Nutrition Feeding, Hemodynamics, Ultrasonography, Doppler, Enteral Nutrition

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.