Correlation of Cardiac Output Determined by Echocardiography and Indirect Calorimetry in Critically Ill Patients in Cardiogenic Shock on Extracorporeal Circulatory Life Support
This research is for patients in intensive care whose hearts are struggling after surgery. These patients are often on a machine called ECLS, which helps their heart and lungs. Doctors need to know how much blood the heart is still pumping on its own. Currently, they use heart scans for this. This study wants to see if a breathing test, which already measures energy use, could also give useful information about how much blood the heart is pumping. If the breathing test results match the heart scan results, it could offer another way for doctors to get vital information, especially when heart scans are difficult to do.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When someone is very ill, especially after heart surgery, their heart might struggle to pump enough blood around their body. This serious condition is called cardiogenic shock. To help, doctors might use a special machine called Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS). This machine temporarily takes over some of the work of the heart and lungs, giving the patient a better chance to recover. While on this machine, it's important for doctors to know how much work the patient's own heart is doing.
Currently, doctors mainly use heart scans, similar to an ultrasound (called an echocardiogram), to check how much blood the heart is pumping. However, sometimes it can be tricky to get good measurements from these scans. This study is exploring another method called indirect calorimetry. This is a common test used to measure how much energy a patient's body is using by looking at their breathing. The researchers want to find out if the measurements from this breathing test can also tell them how much blood the heart is pumping, and if these measurements match what they see on the heart scans.
Finding a link between these two measurement methods would be really helpful in hospital. If the breathing test provides similar information to the heart scan, it could give doctors another reliable way to understand a patient's heart function, especially in situations where a heart scan might be difficult to perform or interpret. This could lead to better ways to monitor and treat very sick patients.
Key takeaways
- The study aims to improve how doctors monitor heart function in very ill patients.
- It compares two different ways of measuring how much blood the heart is pumping.
- Patients in the study are those in intensive care who have had heart surgery and are on an ECLS machine.
- The research uses measurements already taken during routine hospital care, like heart scans and breathing tests.
- If successful, it could provide doctors with another reliable tool for patient assessment.
Who may be eligible?
To be part of this study, you would need to be an adult (age 18 or older) who has recently had heart surgery. You must also be receiving help from an ECLS machine because your heart is in cardiogenic shock.
Before you can join, you'll be asked to provide your permission to take part. This is called informed consent. This process makes sure you understand what the study involves before agreeing to participate.
However, you wouldn't be able to join if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, if you have a very short survival outlook (less than 72 hours) or if there's any conflict of interest with the study's organisers, you would not be included.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Have you recently had heart surgery?
- Are you currently receiving support from an ECLS machine?
- Are you able to provide your consent to take part in the study?
What does participation involve?
This study is observational, meaning you wouldn’t receive any new treatments or medicines. Instead, researchers would use information from tests and measurements that are already part of your routine care in hospital. This includes the daily heart scans (echocardiograms) and indirect calorimetry, which measures your energy use through your breathing. There would be no extra hospital visits or long-term follow-up beyond your standard hospital stay. The study simply collects and compares data from these routine daily measurements while you are receiving ECLS support.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University Hospital MünsterVerified postcodeMünster, Germany· Recruiting
Common questions
What is cardiogenic shock?
Cardiogenic shock is a severe condition where your heart suddenly can't pump enough blood for your body's needs, often after a heart attack or surgery.
What is an ECLS machine?
An ECLS (Extracorporeal Life Support) machine is a device that helps your heart and lungs by circulating and oxygenating your blood outside your body when they are too weak to do it themselves.
What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound scan that uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart, showing how well it's pumping blood.
What is indirect calorimetry?
Indirect calorimetry is a test that measures the gases you breathe in and out to calculate how much energy your body is using.
Will I get any special treatment in this study?
No, this study only observes and compares information from tests you already receive as part of your standard hospital care; you won't get any new treatments.
How to find out more
Christian Ertmer, MD
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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