Ongoing Clinical Trials for Circulatory Collapse
There is currently 1 ongoing clinical trial for circulatory collapse, focusing on improving anticoagulation strategies for patients requiring life support through ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). This trial is being conducted in Austria and compares three different blood-thinning medications to prevent dangerous blood clots during critical care treatment.
Clinical trial locations
Study on Anticoagulation Strategies with Heparin, Enoxaparin, and Argatroban for Patients with Respiratory or Circulatory Failure on ECMO Support
This trial is designed for patients who need support from a life-saving machine called ECMO, which stands for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. ECMO is used when the heart and lungs cannot work properly on their own, helping to pump and oxygenate blood outside the body.
Who can participate:
- Adults over 18 years of age
- Patients who are in an Intensive Care Unit
- Patients who either need ECMO support or have started ECMO therapy within the last 12 hours
Who cannot participate:
- Patients with respiratory insufficiency, where the lungs cannot provide enough oxygen or remove enough carbon dioxide
- Patients with respiratory failure, a more severe condition where the lungs fail to exchange gases properly
- Patients with circulatory failure, when the heart and blood vessels cannot supply enough blood to the body’s organs
- Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a serious lung condition causing severe breathing difficulties
What the trial studies:
The main goal of this trial is to compare three different medications that prevent blood clots, which are a common and dangerous complication during ECMO therapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups, each receiving a different blood-thinning medication. Doctors will carefully monitor how well each medication prevents blood clots like pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, while also watching for any bleeding complications.
Investigational drugs being tested:
- Unfractionated Heparin: A widely used blood thinner given directly into a vein that works by activating a protein called antithrombin, which stops blood clots from forming
- Enoxaparin: A type of low-molecular-weight heparin injected under the skin that also works by enhancing antithrombin activity to prevent clots
- Argatroban: A medication given into a vein that works differently by directly blocking thrombin, an enzyme essential for clot formation
Throughout the study, which may last up to six months for each participant, regular check-ups and imaging tests will be performed to monitor health and medication effectiveness. The trial is expected to continue until March 2027, and the results will help doctors understand which medication strategy works best for preventing blood clots in patients requiring ECMO support.
Summary
Currently, there is one active clinical trial addressing circulatory collapse, conducted in Austria. This trial focuses specifically on patients requiring ECMO support, comparing three established anticoagulation medications to determine the most effective strategy for preventing blood clots during this critical life support treatment. The trial represents an important effort to improve outcomes for patients experiencing severe circulatory and respiratory failure who depend on ECMO therapy for survival.