Using a bedside decision-support tool to shorten ventilator time after pediatric heart surgery

Application of a Clinical Decision Support System to Reduce Mechanical Ventilation Duration After Cardiac Surgery

Observational Boston Children's Hospital · NCT05687292

This test will see if a computer decision-support tool can help clinicians shorten the time children under 12 spend on a ventilator after congenital heart surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment330 (estimated)
Ages1 Day to 12 Years
SexAll
SponsorBoston Children's Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT05687292 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project uses a clinical decision support system (CDSS) embedded in the T3 platform that continuously pulls physiologic monitor, ventilator, and lab data and applies predictive algorithms (IDO2, IVCO2, IPH) to flag readiness for weaning. Eligible patients are children under 12 who have received mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours after congenital cardiac surgery in the Cardiac ICU, with exclusions for prematurity, very low weight, or baseline ventilator dependence. Clinicians may choose to follow the CDSS recommendations; patients exposed to the CDSS will be compared with a historical cohort to measure changes in mechanical ventilation duration and extubation outcomes. The study is designed to detect whether using continuous-data analytics at the bedside can shorten ventilation time without increasing reintubation or other complications.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Children under 12 years old who are in the Cardiac ICU at Boston Children's Hospital, post-congenital heart surgery, and receiving mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or more are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Premature infants (<37 weeks' gestation), infants weighing under 2 kg, and patients who are baseline ventilator-dependent via tracheostomy or noninvasive support are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this CDSS.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the CDSS could reduce time on mechanical ventilation, lower ventilation-related complications, and shorten ICU stays for post-operative pediatric heart patients.

How similar studies have performed: Retrospective analyses of the IDO2 and IVCO2 algorithms showed associations with successful extubation, but applying these predictive tools prospectively in a bedside CDSS for weaning is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Children \< 12 years old
* Post-cardiac surgery
* Receiving mechanical ventilation for ≥ 48 hours in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Boston Children's Hospital following surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

* Premature infants (\<37 weeks' gestation)
* Weight \< 2kg
* Baseline ventilator (via tracheostomy) or noninvasive positive pressure dependence

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

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 Congenital Heart Diseasecardiac surgerycongenital heart diseasecritical carepediatricsmechanical ventilation
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.