Alveolar Dead Space as Predictor of Organ Failure in Severe Sepsis

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER, HOUSTON · Mar 14, 2011

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how changes in a specific lung measurement, called alveolar dead space, can help doctors predict whether patients with severe infections (known as severe sepsis) will develop problems with multiple organs. The trial is looking for adults who are on a ventilator and have been diagnosed with severe sepsis or septic shock within the first six hours of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

To participate, patients should be adults between the ages of 65 and 74 who are experiencing severe infections. However, those who are at the end of life, have certain chronic lung diseases like COPD, or have been receiving treatment for sepsis for more than six hours before arriving at the ICU cannot join the study. If eligible, participants can expect to have their lung measurements taken using new ventilator technology that makes this process quicker and easier. This research aims to improve understanding and treatment of severe infections, which could ultimately help save lives.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults with severe sepsis or septic shock on mechanical ventilation
• • Enrolled in the initial six hours of ICU admission
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with withdrawal or hospice order.
• • Patients with terminal, irreversible disease, expect to decease in 48 hours from ICU admission.
• • Patients with COPD.
• • Patients transferred from outside ICU with ongoing sepsis management for more than six hours.