Recovery From ICUAW Following Severe Respiratory and Cardiac Failure

NCT ID: NCT03753412

Last Updated: 2026-01-07

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2019-04-09

Study Completion Date

2026-09-26

Brief Summary

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To observe and identify determinants of recovery from intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) following a severe cardiorespiratory failure requiring extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Additionally, to discover the effects of ICUAW on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after critical illness. CLEVERER is a clinical observational pilot study.

Detailed Description

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To identify determinants of recovery from ICUAW and to discover the effects of ICUAW on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after critical illness. This phenomenon has become more evident over recent years and still requires extensive research.

ICUAW is an umbrella term for more specifically polyneuropathy and myopathy. Recent research has found that 50% of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery lose significant muscle mass (9.6% in the wasters group) within the first seven days. These patients are receiving relatively uncomplicated surgery yet still suffering from muscle breakdown, which cannot be described by inactivity alone. The investigators wish to observe ICUAW in a real-life context, however, where cases are always severe. ICUAW can lead to a significant increase in mortality and morbidity. Risk factors for ICUAW include neuromuscular blocking agents, hyperglycaemia, inactivity and sepsis. The correlation between a patient group with severe cardiorespiratory failure and patient-centred outcomes during recovery such as functional ability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been little studied.

Severe cardiac and respiratory failure can both be supported by a mechanical cardio-respiratory support (MCS) including extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); therefore referral for this intervention can be used as a marker of the severest form of cardiorespiratory failure. Both conditions are associated with a high incidence of collateral multi-organ dysfunction and mortality; as well as long-term morbidity, loss of independence and reduced quality of life. Patients with acute cardiac and respiratory failure referred to St Bartholomew's hospital for consideration of MCS will be recruited by advice/guidance from a personal and professional consultee.

Rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFcsa) will be measured by ultrasound during the first week of admission and at pre-determined time points. The RFcsa will be correlated with indices of muscle strength, physical function and HRQoL. The investigators will also take blood and urine samples on arrival and at pre-defined intervals during the patients' admission for circulating and respiratory markers of sepsis, oxidative stress and organ injury. A muscle biopsy will be taken from the operation field if the patient is centrally cannulated when initiating ECMO.

The primary Objective is to identify determinants of recovery from ICUAW and to discover the effects of ICUAW on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after severe cardiorespiratory failure. Specifically, to observe the cross-sectional area of the Rectus Femoris (RFcsa) and correlate this with muscle strength and HRQoL during recovery. RFcsa, hand-held dynamometry, knee straightening dynamometry, Free Fat Mass Index, standing and lying vital capacity, MRC-SS sum score and short physical performance battery (SPPB) will be observed. Also, HRQoL will be measured using the reintegration to normal living index (RNLI), hospital and anxiety depression score (HADS)and the EQ-5D-5L (EuroQol research foundation). Additionally, we have composed a 10 item questionnaire to assess pre-morbid functional status. The primary endpoint will be once all these data are gathered and analysed.

The secondary aim is to understand the molecular and genomic profile of blood samples and the histology of the muscle biopsies. The objective will be supported with additional data from urine analysis (albumin-creatinine ratio) and vascular endothelial cells. The secondary endpoint will be once these data are collected and analysed.

Conditions

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Intensive Care Unit Syndrome Intensive Care Neuropathy Intensive Care (ICU) Myopathy Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Cardiac Failure Respiratory Failure Critical Illness Myopathy

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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ICUAW ECMO group

The physical and psychological effects of ICUAW on patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe cardiorespiratory failure will be observed. Physical function and HRQoL will be analysed and correlated with RFcsa. Additionally, biological markers will be used to understand molecular and genomic profiles.

No interventions assigned to this group

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Above the age of 18
* Adults with severe cardio-respiratory failure requiring ECMO.
* Adults who have had personal and professional consultees agree to enrol them in the trial.

Exclusion Criteria

* Previous Stroke
* Neuromuscular disease
* Malignancy
* Underlying neuromuscular disease
* paediatrics
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Queen Mary University of London

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Barts & The London NHS Trust

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Mark Griffiths, PhD FRCP

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Substantive Employee and primary supervisor to PhD student

Julie Sanders, MSc, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Director of research and supervisor to PhD student

Ashley Thomas, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Substantive employee and PhD student

Locations

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St Bartholomew's hospital (Barts NHS trust)

London, , United Kingdom

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United Kingdom

Central Contacts

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Mark Griffiths, PhD FRCP

Role: CONTACT

07875999126

Ashley Thomas, MSc

Role: CONTACT

07597875857

Facility Contacts

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Griffiths, Mark Griffiths, FRRCP, PhD

Role: primary

447875999126

References

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Bloch SA, Donaldson AV, Lewis A, Banya WA, Polkey MI, Griffiths MJ, Kemp PR. MiR-181a: a potential biomarker of acute muscle wasting following elective high-risk cardiothoracic surgery. Crit Care. 2015 Apr 7;19(1):147. doi: 10.1186/s13054-015-0853-5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25888214 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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012370 CLEVERER

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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