Using lung recruitment maneuvers to predict fluid needs in children under anesthesia

Lung Recruitment Maneuver as a Potential Predictor of Fluid Responsiveness in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients

Observational Boston Children's Hospital · NCT03431064

This study is testing if special breathing techniques can help doctors figure out if kids under anesthesia need extra fluids during surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment48 (estimated)
AgesN/A to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorBoston Children's Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT03431064 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore the effectiveness of non-invasive tools, specifically lung recruitment maneuvers, in predicting whether mechanically ventilated pediatric patients under general anesthesia will require fluid administration. By monitoring these patients, anesthesiologists can better determine the optimal intervention for managing low blood pressure and avoid unnecessary treatments. The study will involve children aged 0 to under 18 years who are undergoing surgery at Boston Children's Hospital and are monitored with an indwelling radial arterial catheter.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 0 to under 18 years who are undergoing surgery under general anesthesia and are mechanically ventilated.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions such as congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, or those requiring single lung ventilation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more tailored fluid management in pediatric patients, improving their surgical outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of non-invasive tools in fluid management is a growing area of interest, this specific approach has not been extensively tested in pediatric populations, making it a novel investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 0 to \< 18 years old
* Undergoing surgery at Boston Children's Hospital under general anesthesia
* mechanically ventilated with an endotracheal tube
* Monitored with an indwelling radial arterial catheter as part of the anesthetic plan for the scheduled surgical procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prematurity
* Low birth weight
* Congenital heart disease
* Left or right ventricular dysfunction
* Cardiac arrhythmia
* Pulmonary hypertension
* Preoperative parenchymal or interstitial lung disease
* Intracranial hypertension
* Poor transthoracic acoustic window
* Obesity
* Allergy to ultrasound transmission gel
* Need for single lung ventilation
* Systemic hypertension on antihypertensive medications

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 AnesthesiaIntravenous FluidBlood Pressure
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.