scholarly journals Efficacy and safety of early target-controlled plasma volume replacement with a balanced gelatine solution versus a balanced electrolyte solution in patients with severe sepsis/septic shock: study protocol, design, and rationale of a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicentric, international clinical trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gernot Marx ◽  
Kai Zacharowski ◽  
Carole Ichai ◽  
Karim Asehnoune ◽  
Vladimír Černý ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sepsis is associated with capillary leakage and vasodilatation and leads to hypotension and tissue hypoperfusion. Early plasma volume replacement is required to achieve haemodynamic stability (HDS) and maintain adequate tissue oxygenation. The right choice of fluids to be used for plasma volume replacement (colloid or crystalloid solutions) is still a matter of debate, and large trials investigating the use of colloid solutions containing gelatine are missing. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of plasma volume replacement using either a combined gelatine-crystalloid regime (1:1 ratio) or a pure crystalloid regime. Methods This is a prospective, controlled, randomized, double-blind, international, multicentric phase IV study with two parallel groups that is planned to be conducted at European intensive care units (ICUs) in a population of patients with hypovolaemia in severe sepsis/septic shock. A total of 608 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to receive either a gelatine-crystalloid regime (Gelaspan® 4% and Sterofundin® ISO, B. Braun Melsungen AG, in a 1:1 ratio) or a pure crystalloid regime (Sterofundin® ISO) for plasma volume replacement. The primary outcome is defined as the time needed to achieve HDS. Plasma volume replacement will be target-controlled, i.e. fluids will only be administered to volume-responsive patients. Volume responsiveness will be assessed through passive leg raising or fluid challenges. The safety and efficacy of both regimens will be assessed daily for 28 days or until ICU discharge (whichever occurs first) as the secondary outcomes of this study. Follow-up visits/calls will be scheduled on day 28 and day 90. Discussion This study aims to generate evidence regarding which regimen—a gelatine-crystalloid regimen or a pure crystalloid regimen—is more effective in achieving HDS in critically ill patients with hypovolaemia. Study participants in both groups will benefit from the increased safety of target-controlled plasma volume replacement, which prevents fluid administration to already haemodynamically stable patients and reduces the risk of harmful fluid overload. Trial registration The European clinical trial database EudraCT 2015-000057-20 and the ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02715466. Registered on 17 March 2016.

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e038074
Author(s):  
Wenjie Long ◽  
Huili Liao ◽  
Xi Huang ◽  
Qingqing Liu ◽  
Yaqing Tang ◽  
...  

IntroductionUnstable angina (UA), referred to as acute coronary syndrome (ACS), causes unexpected chest pain. Xueshuantong injection (lyophilised) (XST) is a traditional Chinese herbal injection having the potential to treat ACS. However, no clinical trial has been performed in this field. This clinical trial aims to examine the efficacy and safety of XST.Methods and analysisThis is a randomised, parallel-arm, controlled, double-blind and multicentre clinical trial. A total of 1200 participants with UA will be enrolled in a 1:1 ratio, with 600 patients included in the XST treatment group and 600 with 1/20th dose in the control group. The efficacy assessment and major adverse cardiovascular events will be observed, and the frequency of angina attack, angina pectoris will be examined at the start and end of the run-in period. All adverse events will be recorded, regardless of the severity, to assess the safety of XST. The baseline characteristics of patients will be summarised and compared using the t test or non-parametric statistical test. Qualitative data will be analysed using the χ2 or Fisher exact tests, Cochran–Mantel–Hasenszel test and Wilcoxon test.Ethics and disseminationThis trial has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, China (approval number: ZYYEC [2017] 0021). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The results of this trial will be disseminated to the public through academic conferences and peer-reviewed journals.Trial registrationThis study was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/) with the ID ChiCTR1800015911.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Nahas ◽  
Steffen Naegel ◽  
Joshua M. Cohen ◽  
Xiaoping Ning ◽  
Lindsay Janka ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although migraine is less common in older people, preventive treatment of migraine in these individuals may be more challenging due to the presence of multiple comorbidities and polypharmacy. Additionally, evidence for migraine treatment efficacy, safety, and tolerability is limited in this population. We evaluated efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fremanezumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG2Δa) that selectively targets calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP), in clinical trial participants aged ≥60 years with episodic migraine (EM) or chronic migraine (CM). Methods This analysis included data from 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 studies: the HALO EM study, HALO CM study, and FOCUS study in participants with EM or CM and prior inadequate response to 2–4 migraine preventive medication classes. Participants in all studies were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 12 weeks of subcutaneous treatment with quarterly fremanezumab (Months 1/2/3: EM/CM, 675 mg/placebo/placebo), monthly fremanezumab (Months 1/2/3: EM, 225 mg/225 mg/225 mg; CM, 675 mg/225 mg/225 mg), or matched monthly placebo. Results These pooled analyses included 246 participants aged ≥60 years. Reductions in monthly migraine days from baseline over 12 weeks were significantly greater with fremanezumab (least-squares mean change from baseline [standard error]: quarterly fremanezumab, − 4.3 [0.59]; monthly fremanezumab, − 4.6 [0.54]) versus placebo (placebo, − 2.3 [0.57]; both P < 0.01 vs placebo). As early as Week 1, significant reductions from baseline in weekly migraine days were observed with fremanezumab versus placebo (both P < 0.01). With fremanezumab treatment versus placebo, a significantly higher proportion of participants achieved ≥50% reduction in monthly migraine days, and significant improvements in disability and quality-of-life outcomes were observed (P < 0.05). Proportions of participants experiencing serious adverse events and adverse events leading to discontinuation were low and similar in the fremanezumab and placebo groups. Efficacy and safety results were comparable to the overall pooled population (N = 2843). Conclusions This pooled subgroup analysis demonstrates that fremanezumab treatment is efficacious and well-tolerated over 12 weeks in participants aged ≥60 years with EM or CM. These data may help healthcare providers with clinical decision making and preventive treatment selection for older patients with migraine. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: HALO CM: NCT02621931; HALO EM: NCT02629861; FOCUS: NCT03308968.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-ning Ma ◽  
Cheng-liang Zhong ◽  
Si-yuan Hu ◽  
Qiu-han Cai ◽  
Sheng-xuan Guo

Abstract Background Acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis are common respiratory diseases for which children seek medical care. Their main clinical manifestation is sore throat which interferes with patients’ quality of life. However, there is no proven effective or safe method to treat it. It is necessary to find an excellent strategy to reduce sore throat and reduce the burden of acute illness. We designed the randomized controlled trial with the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to determine the clinical positioning of Kai-Hou-Jian spray (children’s type) (KHJS) through evidence-based research. This trial aims to evaluate the immediate analgesic efficacy of KHJS on sore throat caused by acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis (wind-heat syndrome/heat exuberance in lung and stomach syndrome) in children and to observe its safety. Methods/design This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial. It will include 240 children with acute pharyngitis/tonsillitis from 7 study sites across China. All participants are randomly assigned to two parallel treatment groups, one with KHJS and the other with placebo sprays, for 5 consecutive days. The primary outcome is the time of analgesic onset. Secondary outcomes include duration of analgesic effect, area under time curve of 0–3 h Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBS) score (AUC0-3 h), rate of analgesic onset, rate of disappearance of sore throat, changes of WBS score (in days), effective rate of pharyngeal signs, and effective rate of TCM syndrome. The incidence of adverse events during the trial is the primary safety outcome. In addition, vital signs and laboratory tests before and after medication are monitored. Discussion To our knowledge, this will be the first clinical trial to explore the immediate analgesic efficacy of a Chinese patent medicine spray for acute pharyngitis/tonsillitis induced sore throat in children in a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, placebo-controlled manner. Not only might it prove the efficacy and safety of KHJS in the treatment of sore throat caused by acute pharyngitis/tonsillitis in children, but it might also provide evidence for the treatment of acute sore throat with Chinese herbal medicine. Trial registration A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, very low-dose, parallel controlled trial for the immediate analgesic effect and safety of Kai-Hou- Jian spray (children's type) in the treatment of sore throat caused by acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis in children. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000031599. Registered on 5 April 2020


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 726-739
Author(s):  
Masazumi Fujii ◽  
Masao Kobayakawa ◽  
Kiyoshi Saito ◽  
Akihiro Inano ◽  
Akio Morita ◽  
...  

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) causes bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VSs), leading to deafness. VS is treated by surgery or radiation, but neither treatments prevent hearing loss. Bevacizumab was found to be effective in suppressing the tumor’s growth and may help to improve hearing. We are conducting a randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial to verify the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in NF2-related VS. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of bevacizumab in improving hearing in the affected ear. One of the secondary objectives is to evaluate bevacizumab’s efficacy in rechallenge treatment in relapsed cases. Sixty patients will randomly receive either bevacizumab or a placebo and will be clinically observed for 48 weeks in the initial intervention phase. In the first half (24 weeks), they will receive either 5 mg/kg of bevacizumab or a placebo drug. In the second half, all patients will receive 5 mg/kg of bevacizumab. If hearing function deteriorated in a patient who had shown improvement during the first phase, a rechallenge dose with bevacizumab would be offered.


Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helda Tutunchi ◽  
Majid Mobasseri ◽  
Samira Pourmoradian ◽  
Hamid Soleimanzadeh ◽  
Behnam Kafil ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives In this study, we investigate the effect of boron-containing compounds and oleoylethanolamide supplementation on the recovery trend in patients with COVID-19. Trial design The current study is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with parallel groups. Participants The inclusion criteria include male and female patients≥18 years of age, with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or antibody test and with written informed consent to participate in this trial. The exclusion criteria include regular use of any other supplement, severe and critical COVID-19 pneumonia, pregnancy and breastfeeding. This study is being conducted at Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Intervention and comparator Patients are randomly assigned to four groups. The first group (A) will take one capsule containing 5 mg of boron compounds twice a day for two weeks. The second group (B) will take one capsule containing 200 mg oleoylethanolamide twice a day for two weeks. The third group (C) will take one capsule containing 5 mg boron compounds with 200 mg oleoylethanolamide twice a day for two weeks, and the fourth group (D) does not receive any additional treatment other than routine treatments. Boron-containing compounds and oleoylethanolamide capsules will be synthesized at Nutrition Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Main outcomes The primary end point of this study is to investigate the recovery rate of clinical symptoms, including fever, dry cough, and fatigue, as well as preclinical features, including complete blood count (CBC), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) profiles within two weeks of randomization. Randomisation Patients are randomized into four equal groups in a parallel design (allocation ratio 1:1). A randomized block procedure is used to divide subjects into one of four treatment blocks (A, B, C, and D) by a computer-generated allocation schedule. Blinding (masking) The participants and investigators (enrolling, assessing, and analyzing) are blinded to the intervention assignments until the end of the study and data analysis. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) The calculated total sample size is 40 patients, with 10 patients in each group. Trial Status The protocol is Version 1.0, May 17, 2020. Recruitment began May 19, 2020, and is anticipated to be completed by October 19, 2020. Trial registration This clinical trial has been registered by the title of “Assessment of boron-containing compounds and oleoylethanolamide supplementation on the recovery trend in Patients with COVID-19: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial” in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT). The registration number is “IRCT20090609002017N35”, https://www.irct.ir/trial/48058. The registration date is 17 May 2020. Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e041958
Author(s):  
Nirmani Yasara ◽  
Nethmi Wickramarathne ◽  
Chamila Mettananda ◽  
Aresha Manamperi ◽  
Anuja Premawardhena ◽  
...  

IntroductionDespite being one of the first diseases to be genetically characterised, β-thalassaemia remains a disorder without a cure in a majority of patients. Most patients with β-thalassaemia receive only supportive treatment and therefore have a poor quality of life and shorter life spans. Hydroxyurea, which has shown to induce fetal haemoglobin synthesis in human erythroid cells, is currently recommended for the treatment of sickle cell disease. However, its clinical usefulness in transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia is unclear. Here, we present a protocol for a randomised double-blind controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral hydroxyurea in transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia.Methods and analysisThis single-centre randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial is conducted at the Thalassaemia Centre of Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. Adult and adolescent patients with haematologically and genetically confirmed transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia are enrolled and randomised into the intervention or control group. The intervention group receives oral hydroxyurea 10–20 mg/kg daily for 6 months, while the control group receives a placebo which is identical in size, shape and colour to hydroxyurea without its active ingredient. Transfused blood volume, pretransfusion haemoglobin level, fetal haemoglobin percentage and adverse effects of treatment are monitored during treatment and 6 months post-treatment. Cessation or reduction of blood transfusions during the treatment period will be the primary outcome measure. The statistical analysis will be based on intention to treat.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (P/116/05/2018) and the trial is approved by the National Medicinal Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka. Results of the trial will be disseminated in scientific publications in reputed journals.Trial registration numberSLCTR/2018/024; Pre-results.


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