Using breath carbon monoxide to predict liver recovery after partial hepatectomy

Postoperative Heme Oxygenase Induction and Carbon Monoxide Production as a Novel Method to Assess Hepatic Regeneration and Predict Hepatic Related Morbidity After Partial Hepatectomy

NA · Englewood Hospital and Medical Center · NCT06681818

This will test whether measuring carbon monoxide in breath can help predict how well adults recover liver function after part of their liver is removed.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment125 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorEnglewood Hospital and Medical Center (other)
Locations1 site (Englewood, New Jersey)
Trial IDNCT06681818 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The study will measure endogenous carbon monoxide production with a commercial breath CO monitor (smokerlyzer) in adults undergoing partial liver resection. Investigators will relate breath CO levels to the extent of hepatic resection and to postoperative measures of liver regeneration and function. Measurements will be taken before and after surgery to track changes over time and correlated with clinical outcomes. The approach seeks a noninvasive biomarker that could indicate patients at higher risk for liver-related morbidity after resection.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults planning partial liver resection for primary liver tumors or metastatic disease who can understand and sign informed consent are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, those unable to consent or perform breath testing, or those with factors that prevent accurate CO measurement are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a simple, noninvasive breath test to help identify patients likely to regenerate liver tissue well or at risk for postoperative liver complications.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior work has measured heme oxygenase activity and breath CO in liver disease, but using breath CO specifically to predict post-hepatectomy regeneration is relatively novel and not yet proven.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient plans to have partial liver resection for primary liver pathology or metastatic disease
* Patient is able to comprehend and willing to sign the written consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients \< 18 years
* Patients identified as members of a vulnerable population, except women of child bearing potential with negative pregnancy test

Where this trial is running

Englewood, New Jersey

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Liver Cancer Adult, Liver Regeneration, hepatectomy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.