Monitoring ultra-protective ventilation in severe ARDS patients on ECMO

Ultra-protective Ventilation Monitored by Electrical Impedance Tomography in Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome on Veno-venous ECMO

Not applicable Interventional Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · NCT05717218

This study is testing a new way to help patients with severe lung problems on ECMO by adjusting their breathing support to see if it can protect their lungs better.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAssistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Academic / other
Locations1 site (Paris)
Trial IDNCT05717218 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study focuses on patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who are supported by venovenous ECMO. It aims to monitor the effects of ultra-protective mechanical ventilation using electrical impedance tomography, adjusting tidal volumes to minimize lung overdistension and derecruitment. The study will systematically lower tidal volumes while keeping other ventilator parameters constant, and will also explore the optimal PEEP settings to enhance lung recruitment. The goal is to identify the best tidal volume and PEEP combination for lung protection in these critically ill patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with severe ARDS requiring venovenous ECMO support.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, have certain cardiac devices, or are hemodynamically unstable may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve lung protection and outcomes for patients with severe ARDS on ECMO.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using electrical impedance tomography in this context is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in optimizing ventilation strategies for ARDS patients.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* aged ≥ 18 years
* patient with ARDS on venovenous (VV)-ECMO
* Written informed consent
* patient affiliated to a social security scheme

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy
* Adult patient subject to a legal protection measure (tutor, curator, etc.)
* Patients with a pacemaker, automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator,
* contraindications to thoracic belt placement (e.g., thoracic or spinal cord trauma, recent thoracic surgery)
* undrained pneumothorax, bronchopleural fistula
* hemodynamic instability (i.e., use of intravenous fluids of more than 10 mL/kg or vasopressors 2 mg/h of norepinephrine or 0.5 mg/h of epinephrine)

Where this trial is running

Paris

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.
Conditions Severe ARDSECMOARDSultra-protective mechanical ventilation
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.