Simplified electrical cardiometry test to predict which critically ill children will respond to fluids

Fluid-responsiveness Assessment Simplified by Electric Cardiometry in Children

Observational University Hospital, Bordeaux · NCT07522580

This project tests whether a quick, noninvasive electrical cardiometry measurement during a brief abdominal compression can see if critically ill children (≤8 years) will benefit from a 10 ml/kg fluid bolus.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment42 (estimated)
Ages0 Days to 8 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Bordeaux Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Le Plessis-Robinson, France and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07522580 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational diagnostic accuracy study will test whether changes in stroke volume measured by noninvasive electrical cardiometry during a standardized abdominal compression predict which children will increase stroke volume after a 10 ml/kg fluid bolus. Children ≤8 years in participating pediatric intensive care units who are prescribed a fluid expansion and already monitored with electrical cardiometry will undergo a brief, standardized abdominal compression while continuous cardiometry records stroke volume variation. The cardiometry-derived response will be compared to the reference standard—echocardiographic stroke volume measured before and after the fluid bolus, with fluid responsiveness defined as a ≥15% increase. Diagnostic accuracy metrics (sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values) will be calculated to determine whether the cardiometry maneuver can speed bedside decisions and reduce reliance on operator-dependent echocardiography.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Critically ill children aged ≤8 years in a participating PICU who are about to receive a 10 ml/kg fluid bolus and are being monitored with noninvasive electrical cardiometry are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Children with intra-abdominal hypertension, recent abdominal surgery or painful abdominal palpation, poor echocardiographic windows, extreme prematurity (<37 weeks corrected), or unstable hemodynamics that make testing unsafe may not benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help clinicians quickly and noninvasively identify which children need fluids and avoid harmful fluid overload.

How similar studies have performed: Echocardiographic abdominal compression has shown good accuracy in prior studies, but using electrical cardiometry for this maneuver is relatively new and less validated.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age less than or equal to 8 years old
* Hospitalization in a pediatric intensive care unit
* Prescription by the attending physician of a fluid expansion of 10ml/kg
* Use of a non-invasive cardiac output monitoring device (electrical cardiometry) as part of routine care

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient less than 37 weeks' corrected gestational age
* Hemodynamic instability making the delay necessary for any test dangerous
* Supine position contraindicated or deleterious
* Impairment of echocardiographic acoustic window or restless patient making ultrasonography impossible
* Opposition to participate expressed by the patient or by a parent or legal guardian
* Intra-abdominal hypertension, painful abdominal palpation or abdominal surgery in the last 15 days

Where this trial is running

Le Plessis-Robinson, France and 3 other locations

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 Circulatory FailureShock StateFluid TherapyCirculatory failureCritical CareEchocardiographyElectrical CardiometryFluid therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.