RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Renal Perfusion and the Development of AKI Following Traumatic Injury

This study is investigating how blood circulates within the kidneys after a severe injury that causes significant blood loss, known as traumatic haemorrhagic shock. When someone experiences such an injury, their kidneys can sometimes get damaged, a condition called Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). We know that AKI is a serious complication and can make recovery much harder. While we understand kidney blood flow problems in other types of severe illness, we don't know much about what happens inside the kidneys specifically after a traumatic injury. This research aims to use special ultrasound scans, including those with a contrast agent, and other techniques to get a clearer picture of how blood flows in the tiny vessels of the kidneys. Understanding this better could help doctors improve treatment for future patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

King's College Hospital NHS Trust

Enrolment target

Start

13 Apr 2024

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2026

Traumatic Haemorrhagic Shock AKI (Acute Kidney Injury) Due to Trauma AKI - Acute Kidney Injury

What is this study about?

This study is looking into a serious problem that can happen after a severe injury – when the kidneys stop working properly, a condition called Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). This often occurs after a traumatic injury that leads to significant blood loss, something doctors call traumatic haemorrhagic shock.

When your body loses a lot of blood from an injury, it can affect how well blood flows to all your organs, including your kidneys. The kidneys are vital for filtering waste from your blood and keeping your body healthy. If they don't get enough blood flow, they can become damaged. We know that both severe injury and AKI are very serious and can make it harder for people to recover.

While doctors have some understanding of what happens to kidney blood flow in other serious illnesses, there's less known about the exact changes that happen inside the small blood vessels of the kidneys specifically after a traumatic injury with blood loss. This study aims to fill that gap by using special scans and measurements to get a detailed look at how blood moves through the kidneys in these patients. The hope is that by understanding these changes better, doctors can develop ways to protect the kidneys and improve care for people who have experienced such injuries.

Key takeaways

This study investigates why kidneys get damaged after severe injuries with blood loss.
It uses advanced imaging to study blood flow in the kidneys.
The aim is to improve understanding and future treatments for AKI.
Participants must be over 18 and recently admitted to intensive care for a traumatic injury.
Certain pre-existing conditions or allergies mean you cannot join.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you would need to be 18 years old or older. You would also need to have been admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) within the last 24 hours because of a serious injury.

Also, during your initial care, you must have received blood transfusions and had a specific blood test result (lactate level over 2 mmol/l), which indicates your body was under stress from the injury.

Unfortunately, if you are pregnant, have severe kidney disease already, or have known allergies to certain ultrasound contrast agents (like Sonovue), you wouldn't be able to join. The study also won't include patients with injuries that doctors believe are too severe to survive for at least 24 hours, where the focus is on comfort rather than recovery.

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?
Have you been admitted to intensive care in the last 24 hours due to an injury?
Did you receive blood products during your initial treatment?
Do you have severe kidney disease or kidney failure already?
Are you pregnant?
Are you known to be allergic to ultrasound contrast agents?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The information provided does not detail the specific steps involved for participants, such as the number of visits, specific assessments, or the duration of follow-up. It states that interventions like ultrasound (including a special contrast-enhanced type), sublingual videomicroscopy (looking at tiny blood vessels under the tongue), and urinary oxygen tension measurements will be used. These advanced techniques would likely involve medical staff performing these tests and collecting samples.

Potential risks and benefits

We don’t have specific details on the potential benefits for patients participating in this study directly, but research like this helps doctors understand conditions better and improve future treatments for others. Potential risks are also not fully described but could involve side effects from the ultrasound contrast agent if one is used (though known intolerances are an exclusion), or minimal risks from the measurements taken. You always have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

King's College Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'Acute Kidney Injury' (AKI)?

AKI is when your kidneys suddenly stop working well, meaning they can't properly filter waste from your blood.

What is 'traumatic haemorrhagic shock'?

This is a serious condition where your body has lost a lot of blood due to an injury, leading to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

The study will use special ultrasounds, including ones with a contrast agent, and other methods to look at blood flow in your kidneys and other small blood vessels.

Will this study directly help me?

While the study aims to improve understanding for future patients, it's not designed to directly benefit participants. Any benefits would come from the usual medical care you receive.

What if I change my mind about participating?

You are free to stop participating in the study at any time, and this will not affect the medical care you receive.

How to find out more

Sam Hutchings

sam.hutchings@nhs.net +442032994957 Official trial record

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