RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Hepatic Doppler to Assess Venous Congestion During Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (DOHECOV)

This research study is for very unwell patients who are on a breathing machine (ventilator) in intensive care. We are investigating a condition called 'venous congestion', which is when blood flow slows down and can cause problems in the body. We use a special type of ultrasound, called a Doppler scan, to look at blood flow in the veins of the liver. By measuring how fast blood moves, we hope to find out if this simple scan can help doctors more easily identify congestion. This could lead to better ways of monitoring and treating patients in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital, Brest

Enrolment target

100

Start

24 Mar 2025

Estimated completion

31 Oct 2028

Congestion, Venous

What is this study about?

When people are very unwell in intensive care and need help breathing with a machine, their bodies can sometimes struggle with blood circulation. One problem that can happen is called 'venous congestion'. This means that blood doesn't flow as smoothly as it should back towards the heart, causing it to 'back up' in other parts of the body, like the liver. This can make patients even sicker.

This study is looking at a quick and easy way to check for this blood backing up. We use a special type of ultrasound scan, similar to the scans used during pregnancy, but this one is focused on the liver. It's called a Doppler scan, and it allows doctors to see how blood is moving through the veins in the liver. By looking at the patterns of blood flow, especially how fast it moves in different directions, we hope to find a clear sign that tells us when congestion is happening.

The main goal is to see if what we measure on this liver ultrasound scan matches up with other signs of congestion that doctors already look for. If it does, it could mean that this simple scan could become a valuable tool for doctors to quickly and easily monitor patients on breathing machines. This could help them make quicker decisions about how to best treat congestion and improve patient care.

Key takeaways

This study uses a simple liver ultrasound to check for blood congestion.
It's for very sick patients on breathing machines in intensive care.
The scan is safe, painless, and doesn't involve new medications.
The research aims to help doctors better monitor and treat future patients.
Your medical care will not be affected if you take part or choose not to.
Participation is completely voluntary.

Who may be eligible?

This study is for adult patients who are currently in intensive care and have been on a breathing machine for more than a day.

However, some medical conditions mean a patient cannot join the study. These include long-term severe kidney disease, a heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation, liver scarring (cirrhosis), or a blood clot in a specific vein in the liver (portal thrombosis).

Additionally, if a patient or their close family (if the patient can't decide for themselves) doesn't want to take part, or if the patient is under legal protection, they won't be able to join the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you an adult aged 18 or over?
Are you currently on a breathing machine (ventilator) in intensive care?
Have you been on the breathing machine for more than 24 hours?
Do you *not* have long-term severe kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, cirrhosis, or a specific liver blood clot?
Are you happy to participate, or has your trusted support person given consent if you are unable to?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If a patient is eligible and agrees to take part, they won't need to do anything extra or take any new medications. The study simply involves adding a special ultrasound scan of their liver to the routine checks they already receive in intensive care. This is a non-invasive scan, meaning it doesn't involve needles or anything going inside the body. The research team will collect information from this scan and compare it with the patient's existing medical records. There are no follow-up visits after their time in intensive care for this study. The total duration of a patient's involvement depends on how long they are in intensive care, but it only adds a short scan session to their daily care.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study involves very little risk because it uses a standard, safe ultrasound scan that doesn't cause any pain or discomfort. There are no new medications or procedures involved. There might not be a direct benefit to individual patients taking part in this study, as the main goal is to help future patients. However, the information gained could greatly improve our understanding of how to detect and manage congestion in critically ill patients, potentially leading to better care for others down the line. Remember, participation is completely voluntary, and a patient or their family can choose to withdraw at any time without it affecting their medical care.

Locations (1)

Chu Brest
Verified postcode
Brest, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is venous congestion?

Venous congestion is when blood doesn't flow well and starts to back up in veins, which can affect how organs work.

What is a hepatic Doppler scan?

It's a special type of ultrasound scan that looks at blood flow and speed in the veins of your liver.

Will I feel anything during the scan?

No, the scan is painless and just involves a probe being moved gently over your stomach area.

Will this study affect my usual medical treatment?

No, taking part in this study will not change how the doctors treat you or the medications you receive.

Why is this research important?

It aims to find an easier and quicker way for doctors to spot blood congestion in very sick patients, which could lead to better care.

How to find out more

Gwenael PRAT, phD

gwenael.prat@chu-brest.fr 0298347181 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.