Using respiratory physiotherapy to increase solid organ donors

Respiratory Physiotherapy as a Tool to Increase the Number of Solid Organ Donors

NA · Vall d'Hebron Institute Research · NCT06202859

This study is testing if a special breathing treatment can help improve lung function in potential organ donors to increase the number of available solid organ donors.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment160 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorVall d'Hebron Institute Research (other)
Locations1 site (Barcelona)
Trial IDNCT06202859 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) in improving lung function in potential organ donors. It is a randomized, prospective, multicenter trial involving four hospitals, where 160 eligible brain-dead and circulatory-dead donors will be assessed. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving standard care and the other receiving additional respiratory physiotherapy techniques. The primary outcome measure will be the change in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio after the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are organ donors aged 18 years and older who meet the eligibility criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with absolute contraindications for the use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation or organ donation will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly increase the number of viable lung donors, thereby improving transplant outcomes for patients with lung failure.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using respiratory physiotherapy in organ donation is innovative, similar studies have not been widely reported, making this a potentially novel investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Organ donor older than 18yo

Exclusion Criteria:

* Absolute contraindications for MIE's use
* Absolute contraindications for organ donation

Where this trial is running

Barcelona

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: Lung Transplant Failure, respiratory physiotherapy, lung donor, improve lung donor

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.