Pv-aCO2 gap–guided resuscitation for adults with multiple traumatic injuries

Evaluation of Effect of Pv-aCO2-Gap on Clinical Outcomes With Standard Resuscitation End-points in Adult Poly-trauma Patients Admitted to the ICU --- Prospective Randomized Control Trial

Phase 4 Interventional Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences · NCT07480655

This trial will test whether using the difference between venous and arterial carbon dioxide levels to guide resuscitation helps adults with multiple traumatic injuries recover better during ICU care.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorPakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Government
Locations1 site (Islamabad, Federal)
Trial IDNCT07480655 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adult polytrauma patients admitted to the ICU are randomized 1:1 to either a Pv-aCO2 gap–targeted resuscitation arm or a control arm managed by conventional resuscitation end points. All participants receive a central venous catheter and an arterial line, with arterial and venous blood gas samples taken within 1 hour of ICU admission and at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours using a point-of-care analyzer. The intervention arm uses the measured venous-to-arterial CO2 difference to guide hemodynamic management, while the control arm follows standard critical care targets. Results from the serial measurements will be compared to determine whether gap-guided management changes physiological parameters and early clinical course.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with polytrauma (penetrating or blunt) admitted to the ICU from the operating room, emergency department, or wards who can have central venous and arterial catheters placed and meet the inclusion criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with chest trauma, obstructive or restrictive lung disease, obstructive sleep apnea, septic shock, pregnancy, those requiring ECMO, or those expected to be readmitted within 48 hours are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help clinicians tailor resuscitation more precisely and potentially reduce organ dysfunction and complications after major trauma.

How similar studies have performed: Observational studies have shown the Pv-aCO2 gap correlates with tissue perfusion and outcomes, but randomized trials of gap-guided resuscitation in trauma patients are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Either Gender
* Poly-trauma patients

  ○ Both penetrating and blunt trauma
* Both surgical and non-surgical
* Shock States

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any Chest trauma
* Patients with Obstructive and restrictive lung disease
* Obstructive sleep apnea
* Septic shock
* Pregnant patients
* Patients who will require readmission within 48 h after step-down from the ICU.
* Patients who will need extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation support

Where this trial is running

Islamabad, Federal

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 PolytraumaResuscitation, Trauma PatientsVeno-arterial carbondioxide gapPolytrauma resuscitation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.