Amino Acid Infusion in Cardiac Surgery

Launched by MILTON S. HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER · Jun 12, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at whether giving a special mixture of amino acids (which are building blocks of proteins) during heart surgery can help protect the kidneys from damage. Kidney injury is a common problem after heart surgeries that use a heart-lung machine. The study will compare two groups of adults having planned heart surgery: one group will receive the usual care, and the other group will get the usual care plus an amino acid infusion during their operation. The researchers will check for signs of kidney injury by testing the urine before and after surgery to see if the amino acids help reduce kidney problems.

Adults 18 years and older who are scheduled for elective heart surgery using a heart-lung machine and who will spend at least one night in the ICU may be able to join. People with very severe kidney disease, those needing emergency surgery, or with certain health conditions like kidney transplants or allergies to amino acids will not be eligible. If you take part, you’ll receive standard anesthesia care, and some participants will also get the amino acid infusion during surgery. Your kidney health will be monitored through urine tests before and after the procedure. This study aims to find a simple way to better protect kidneys during heart surgery and improve recovery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male and female patients 18 years of age or older undergoing elective cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.
• • Anticipated stay of at least one night in the ICU following cardiac surgery.
• • Eligible patients must have a baseline serum creatinine measurement obtained during the current hospitalization, or within 365 days of the current hospitalization.
• • Patients agree to participation and completed informed consent process.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Preoperative or planned post-operative need for renal replacement therapy.
• • Stage IV or greater chronic kidney disease, defined as estimated glomular filtration rate of less than 30 mL/minute per 1.73 M\^2 of body surface area as calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation.
• • Emergent cardiac surgical patients and patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplant.
• • Any patient who has a history of renal transplant.
• • Patients who have a documented allergy or hypersensitivity to one or more of the amino acids.
• • Patients with cognitive impairment who cannot provide consent.
• • Patients with congenital alteration of amino acid metabolism.
• • Any patient who declines to participate in the study.