Inotropic Effects of Vasopressin Versus Noradrenaline In Patients With Vasoplegic Syndrome After Cardiac Surgery

NCT ID: NCT06934798

Last Updated: 2025-04-30

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

Clinical Phase

PHASE4

Total Enrollment

350 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-04-01

Study Completion Date

2025-07-30

Brief Summary

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This is a randomized, double-blind clinical trial designed to compare the inotropic effects of vasopressin versus norepinephrine in patients who develop vasoplegic syndrome in the immediate postoperative period following cardiac surgery.

Vasoplegic syndrome is characterized by severe hypotension due to systemic vasodilation, despite adequate fluid resuscitation and preserved or elevated cardiac output. Vasopressors are essential in restoring hemodynamic stability in this context; however, their impact on myocardial performance remains uncertain. While norepinephrine is the standard first-line agent, vasopressin has shown potential benefits, including reduced catecholamine exposure and fewer adverse cardiovascular effects.

This study aims to assess changes in cardiac output and other echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters after administration of either vasopressin or norepinephrine. The findings are expected to contribute to optimizing vasopressor selection in vasoplegic patients after cardiac surgery and improving clinical outcomes.

Detailed Description

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This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial investigates the inotropic effects of vasopressin versus norepinephrine in patients who develop vasoplegic syndrome (VS) in the immediate postoperative period following cardiac surgery.

Vasoplegic syndrome is characterized by severe hypotension with low systemic vascular resistance despite adequate cardiac output, often unresponsive to standard fluid resuscitation and catecholamine vasopressors. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in cardiac surgery patients. In recent years, vasopressin has been explored as an alternative or adjunctive treatment due to its different mechanism of action and potentially fewer adverse effects compared to catecholamines.

Eligible patients (≥18 years) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery, who develop vasoplegic syndrome within 24 hours postoperatively, will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive vasopressin or norepinephrine. Drug allocation will be blinded to the clinical and research teams, with identically prepared infusion bags.

The study protocol includes a detailed vasopressor infusion regimen, beginning at 5 mL/h with titration every 10 minutes to a maximum of 30 mL/h, aiming for a target mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mmHg. Hemodynamic parameters (SBP, DBP, MAP, HR, lactate, SVO₂, CO₂ gap) and echocardiographic indices (LVEF, TAPSE, VTI, CO, SVR) will be collected at baseline (T0) and upon reaching the MAP goal (T1).

Primary endpoint: Comparative assessment of the inotropic effects between the two vasopressors based on echocardiographic and hemodynamic changes from T0 to T1.

Sample size: 175 patients per arm, considering a 30% effect size and 5% attrition rate, powered at 80% with a 5% type I error.

Statistical analysis will follow an intention-to-treat approach using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests, with p-values \<0.05 considered statistically significant.

This trial is expected to provide clinically relevant data on the efficacy and safety of vasopressin in improving myocardial performance in vasoplegic patients, potentially supporting its use as a first-line vasopressor in this context

Conditions

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Vasoplegic Syndrome of Cardiac Surgery

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors
The study is double-blinded. Vasopressin and norepinephrine solutions will be prepared by the pharmacy in identical intravenous bags, labeled only with the participant's identification code. The pharmacy team will be the only party unblinded to treatment allocation. All other clinical staff, investigators, research personnel, participants, and their families will remain blinded throughout the study period.

Study Groups

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Vasopressin

Participants randomized to this arm will receive vasopressin intravenously in a blinded solution prepared by the pharmacy (final concentration: 0.12 U/mL in 250 mL of 5% glucose solution). The infusion will start at 5 mL/h and will be titrated by 2.5 mL/h every 10 minutes up to a maximum of 30 mL/h, corresponding to doses between 0.01 and 0.06 U/min. The infusion will be maintained until the target mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mmHg is achieved. If this target is not reached, open-label norepinephrine may be initiated. Hemodynamic and laboratory parameters will be collected at the start (T0) and after achieving target pressure (T1).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Vasopressin intravenous infusion

Intervention Type DRUG

Vasopressin will be administered intravenously in a blinded 250 mL bag of 5% glucose solution, at a final concentration of 0.12 U/mL. The infusion will begin at 5 mL/h and be increased by 2.5 mL/h every 10 minutes during the first hour, up to a maximum rate of 30 mL/h (equivalent to doses from 0.01 to 0.06 U/min). The target is to reach and maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mmHg. If this is not achieved, open-label norepinephrine may be added. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters will be measured before and after the target MAP is reached.

Noradrenaline

Participants randomized to this arm will receive norepinephrine intravenously in a blinded solution prepared by the pharmacy (final concentration: 120 µg/mL in 250 mL of 5% glucose solution). The infusion will start at 5 mL/h and will be titrated by 2.5 mL/h every 10 minutes up to a maximum of 30 mL/h, corresponding to doses between 10 and 60 µg/min. The infusion will be maintained until the target mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mmHg is achieved. If this target is not reached, additional open-label norepinephrine may be started. Hemodynamic and laboratory parameters will be collected at the start (T0) and after achieving target pressure (T1).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Norepinephrine intravenous infusion

Intervention Type DRUG

Norepinephrine will be administered intravenously in a blinded 250 mL bag of 5% glucose solution, at a final concentration of 120 µg/mL. The infusion will begin at 5 mL/h and be increased by 2.5 mL/h every 10 minutes during the first hour, up to a maximum rate of 30 mL/h (equivalent to doses from 10 to 60 µg/min). The goal is to reach and maintain MAP ≥65 mmHg. If the MAP target is not reached, open-label norepinephrine may be initiated. Clinical and hemodynamic parameters will be collected at baseline and after MAP stabilization.

Interventions

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Vasopressin intravenous infusion

Vasopressin will be administered intravenously in a blinded 250 mL bag of 5% glucose solution, at a final concentration of 0.12 U/mL. The infusion will begin at 5 mL/h and be increased by 2.5 mL/h every 10 minutes during the first hour, up to a maximum rate of 30 mL/h (equivalent to doses from 0.01 to 0.06 U/min). The target is to reach and maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥65 mmHg. If this is not achieved, open-label norepinephrine may be added. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters will be measured before and after the target MAP is reached.

Intervention Type DRUG

Norepinephrine intravenous infusion

Norepinephrine will be administered intravenously in a blinded 250 mL bag of 5% glucose solution, at a final concentration of 120 µg/mL. The infusion will begin at 5 mL/h and be increased by 2.5 mL/h every 10 minutes during the first hour, up to a maximum rate of 30 mL/h (equivalent to doses from 10 to 60 µg/min). The goal is to reach and maintain MAP ≥65 mmHg. If the MAP target is not reached, open-label norepinephrine may be initiated. Clinical and hemodynamic parameters will be collected at baseline and after MAP stabilization.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Arginine Vasopressin ADH Pitressin Noradrenaline Levophed

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age over 18.
* Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery or both, with a diagnosis of vasoplegic syndrome in the immediate postoperative period (\<24 hours), defined as mean arterial pressure \< 65 mmHg (measured using an invasive blood pressure catheter) and resistance to fluid replacement - at least 1000ml of crystalloids.

Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* Aortic surgery.
* Surgeries to correct congenital heart disease.
* Heart transplants.
* Emergency surgery.
* Use of vasopressor therapy in the preoperative period.
* Presence of a ventricular assist device other than an intra-aortic balloon in the postoperative period.
* Severe hyponatremia in the postoperative period (serum sodium less than 130mEq/l).
* Postoperative acute coronary syndrome.
* Mesenteric ischemia in the postoperative period.
* History of Raynaud's disease.
* History of neoplasia.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Hospital Universitário Cassiano Antônio de Moraes/HUCAM

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Sao Paulo

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ludhmila Abrahão Hajjar MD, PhD

Full Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Ludhmila A Hajjar, Full Professor

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Sao Paulo

Locations

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Instituto do Coração HCFMUSP

São Paulo, , Brazil

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Brazil

Central Contacts

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José León

Role: CONTACT

+55 (11) 2661-5795

Facility Contacts

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José D León, Dr

Role: primary

+55 (11) 2661-5795

References

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Related Links

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https://www.lume.ufrgs.br/bitstream/handle/10183/104149/000939539.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Morais, V D. Vasopressor Agents in Vasoplegic Syndrome after Cardiac Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Multiple Treatments \[thesis\]. Porto Alegre: Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; 2014 \[cited 2019-05-25\].

Other Identifiers

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16286719.1.0000.8069

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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