RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Prognostic Value of Capillary Lactatemia in Potentially Severe Polytrauma Patients

This study is investigating a new way to quickly assess how serious a patient's injuries might be after a major accident, like a car crash or a bad fall. Currently, assessing injured patients before they reach the hospital can be tricky, and existing methods sometimes aren't entirely clear or consistent. Researchers are looking into whether a simple finger-prick blood test, similar to those used to check blood sugar, can provide valuable information on a patient's condition. This test measures something called 'lactate' in the blood. If this study proves successful, it could give paramedics and emergency responders a quick, easy, and reliable tool to help them decide the best hospital for the patient and the most urgent care needed, potentially improving outcomes for those with serious injuries.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice

Enrolment target

550

Start

07 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

15 Dec 2027

Polytrauma

What is this study about?

When someone has a very serious accident, like a major car crash or a fall from a height, it's crucial for paramedics and emergency teams to quickly understand how badly injured they might be. This helps them decide the best way to help the person and which hospital they should be taken to. Current methods for checking how serious injuries are before someone gets to the hospital can sometimes be a bit difficult to use or don't give a full picture.

This study is looking at a new, simple test that could help. It involves taking a tiny blood sample from a fingertip, much like someone with diabetes might do to check their blood sugar. The test measures a substance in the blood called 'lactate'. We already know that higher levels of lactate in blood taken from a vein can suggest someone is very unwell after a serious injury. However, taking blood from a vein can be harder and take longer in an emergency.

Researchers want to find out if this quicker, easier finger-prick test (called 'capillary lactatemia') can give similar useful information. If it can, it would mean emergency teams could get vital information very quickly right at the scene of an accident. This could help them make better decisions about a patient's care, ensuring they get to the right hospital and receive the most suitable treatment as fast as possible, potentially leading to better recovery.

Key takeaways

A study for people with serious injuries from major accidents.
Investigating a simple, quick finger-prick blood test (capillary lactate).
Aims to help emergency teams quickly assess injury severity.
Could lead to better, faster care and improved patient outcomes.
Participation involves only the finger-prick test, no extra appointments.
Minimal risks, potential benefits for future emergency medicine.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, adult patients aged 18 or over need to have had a potentially serious accident, like a road traffic accident or a fall from more than two metres. They must have needed a special emergency medical team (SMUR 06) to come to them and be taken to an emergency department in the Alpes Maritimes area.

Even pregnant women can take part in this study, as it's been designed to be safe for both them and their baby. If a patient isn't able to give consent right after the accident, a family member can give it, or the patient can give it later when they are able to.

However, some people cannot take part. This includes patients with injuries only to a single arm or leg joint (like just a wrist or knee injury). Also, those who are under legal protection (like guardianship) or who are in cardiac arrest (heart has stopped) when the emergency team arrives cannot be included.

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 18 years old or older?
Did you have a serious accident (e.g., bad car crash, fall >2m)?
Did you need a special emergency medical team (SMUR 06) and were taken to an emergency department in Alpes Maritimes?
Do you *not* have just a single injury to a joint (like only a sprained wrist)?
Were you *not* in cardiac arrest when emergency services arrived?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are eligible and agree to take part, the study involves a very simple, quick finger-prick blood test, similar to a test for blood sugar. This test would be done by the emergency medical team at the scene of your accident. There are no special medications, extra visits, or long-term follow-up appointments required specifically for this study. The information from this test will be used alongside the regular checks the emergency team already does to see if it helps them assess your situation better. Your usual medical care will continue as normal.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part is that your contribution could help improve how seriously injured patients are assessed and treated in the future, potentially saving lives and improving recoveries for others. The risks associated with the finger-prick blood test are very minimal, typically just a tiny pinprick sensation and a small drop of blood, similar to routine medical tests. There are no known risks to pregnant women or their babies from this simple test. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (3)

Antibes Hospital
Verified postcode
Antibes, France· Not yet recruiting
Cannes hospital
Verified postcode
Cannes, France· Not yet recruiting
Nice University Hospital
Verified postcode
Nice, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'polytrauma'?

Polytrauma means you have multiple serious injuries to different parts of your body, usually from a major accident.

What is 'capillary lactatemia'?

It's a simple, quick blood test from your fingertip that measures a substance called lactate. High levels can suggest your body is under stress from an injury.

Will taking part change my emergency treatment?

No, your emergency medical care will remain exactly the same. The study aims to see if this test can *help* doctors make better decisions, but it won't change what care you receive immediately.

Is the finger-prick test painful?

It feels like a tiny pinprick, similar to a blood sugar test, and is over very quickly.

Who is running this study?

This study is being conducted by medical teams in the Alpes Maritimes region of France, looking at ways to improve emergency care.

How to find out more

Marta FERNANDES FEIRRERA, PH

fernandes-feirrera.m@chu-nice.fr 0629847289 Official trial record

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