Skin blood flow and capillary refill monitoring in ICU patients with circulatory failure

Effects of Therapeutic Hemodynamic Interventions on Peripheral Perfusion in Intensive Care

Observational Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · NCT06384287

This study will see if capillary refill time and local skin blood flow change after routine treatments (fluids, vasopressors, or inotropes) in ICU patients with acute circulatory failure from sepsis or heart failure.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment180 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAssistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Academic / other
Locations1 site (Paris)
Trial IDNCT06384287 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Microcirculatory abnormalities are a major driver of organ hypoperfusion in septic and cardiogenic shock, and capillary refill time (CRT) is an easy bedside tool linked to outcomes. This prospective observational study will record the kinetics of CRT and local skin blood flow before and after routine hemodynamic interventions such as fluid challenges, vasopressor adjustments, or inotropic drugs. Eligible patients are those in the medical intensive care unit with acute circulatory failure related to sepsis or cardiac failure, excluding those with agitation, hemorrhagic shock, or severe skin lesions. Measurements will be performed as part of usual care at Saint-Antoine Hospital to describe how peripheral perfusion responds to common treatments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: ICU patients with acute circulatory failure due to sepsis or cardiac failure who are receiving a fluid challenge, vasopressor, or inotropic therapy and who do not have agitation, hemorrhagic shock, or severe skin lesions.

Not a fit: Patients with hemorrhagic shock, severe skin lesions, or agitation that prevents reliable peripheral measurements, and patients treated outside the study ICU, are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians use changes in capillary refill time and skin blood flow to determine whether fluids or vasoactive drugs are improving tissue perfusion and to guide more targeted resuscitation.

How similar studies have performed: A recent randomized trial reported promising results for CRT-guided resuscitation, but the specific effects of different hemodynamic drugs on CRT and skin blood flow remain underexplored.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients in intensive care unit with acute circulatory failure related to sepsis or cardiac failure requiring therapeutic intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

* Agitation
* Hemorrhagic shock
* Severe skin lesions

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 Acute Circulatory FailureTissue perfusionCapillary refill timeSkin blood flowFluid challengeInotrope
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.