RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The Effect of Vasopressor Therapy on Renal Perfusion in Septic Shock

This study is investigating how certain medicines, called vasopressors, affect blood flow to the kidneys in patients with a very serious condition called septic shock. Septic shock happens when a severe infection causes very low blood pressure and organ failure, often including the kidneys. When kidneys are damaged during septic shock, it's called acute kidney injury and is a major problem. Even if general blood flow seems fine, blood may not be reaching the smaller parts of the kidney properly. Researchers want to see if specific medicines, like vasopressin and angiotensin II, can improve this micro-scale blood flow in the kidneys. The goal is to understand how these medicines work and potentially improve treatment for patients with kidney problems caused by septic shock.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

King's College Hospital NHS Trust

Enrolment target

Start

05 Jan 2024

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2026

Septic Shock Acute Kidney Injury

What is this study about?

When someone has a severe infection, their body can react very strongly, leading to a life-threatening condition called septic shock. In septic shock, blood pressure can drop dangerously low, and major organs, including the kidneys, can start to fail. This kidney failure is known as acute kidney injury (AKI) and is a serious complication, often making patients very ill.

Even when doctors try to maintain normal blood pressure, the tiny blood vessels within the kidneys might not be getting enough blood. This study aims to understand if certain medicines, called vasopressors (like vasopressin and angiotensin II), can help improve this very specific blood flow to the kidneys in patients with septic shock.

By carefully studying how these medicines affect kidney blood flow, researchers hope to learn more about why kidney damage happens in septic shock. This knowledge could eventually lead to better ways to treat patients and help protect their kidneys when they are critically ill.

Key takeaways

Study examines kidney blood flow in septic shock.
Compares two specific blood pressure medicines.
Aims to understand kidney damage in severe infection.
Could lead to better treatments for acute kidney injury.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adult patients (18 years or older) who have been admitted to intensive care recently (within 48 hours). To be considered, patients must have a suspected or confirmed infection, be showing signs of organ failure getting worse (based on a medical score), and be receiving a specific medicine called norepinephrine to help with their blood pressure. They also need to have a certain level of a substance called lactate in their blood, which can be an sign of severe illness.

However, there are several reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if they are allergic to any of the study medicines or a special dye used in scans, they can't take part. Patients already receiving other blood pressure-raising medicines besides norepinephrine, or those with serious long-term kidney disease, would also not be eligible.

Other conditions that would prevent participation include being on a heart-lung bypass machine (ECMO), having recent severe heart problems, certain gut conditions, problems with major blood vessels like the aorta, or conditions that affect blood flow in the fingers and toes (like Raynaud's syndrome). Pregnant patients also cannot participate in this study.

Quick self-check

Are you an adult (18+)?
Have you been in intensive care for less than 48 hours?
Do you have a severe infection (septic shock)?
Are you currently receiving a specific blood pressure medicine called norepinephrine?
Do you have known severe, long-term kidney disease?
Are you pregnant?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

The detailed procedure for participation isn't fully described, but typically, if you were eligible, you would receive one of the study medications (Angiotensin II or Vasopressin) instead of or in addition to your current treatment. Doctors would closely monitor your kidney function and blood flow using various tests. This might include regular blood tests, urine tests, and potentially special scans to look at blood flow in your kidneys. All monitoring would be done as part of your intensive care stay. The total duration of your participation would depend on your medical condition and the study protocol.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer a chance to receive new treatments that could potentially improve blood flow to your kidneys during septic shock, but there are no guaranteed benefits. There's always a possibility of side effects from the study medicines, though these would be carefully monitored by your medical team. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

King's College Hospital
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is septic shock?

Septic shock is a very dangerous condition caused by a severe infection, where blood pressure drops to very low levels and organs stop working properly.

What is acute kidney injury?

Acute kidney injury means your kidneys suddenly stop working as well as they should, which can be a serious complication of illnesses like septic shock.

What are vasopressors?

Vasopressors are medicines used to raise blood pressure when it's dangerously low, often used in critically ill patients.

Will I stop my current treatment if I join?

The study aims to investigate specific medicines; you might receive one of these as part of your treatment, often in place of or alongside existing medications and under close medical supervision.

Who is running this study?

This study is being run by medical researchers who are experts in critical care and kidney health, aiming to find better ways to treat patients with septic shock.

How to find out more

Sam Hutchings

sam.hutchings@nhs.net 02032994957 Official trial record

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