In short
Currently, there are 2 ongoing clinical trials focused on improving care and outcomes for patients who require mechanical ventilation. These studies are testing different approaches to support critically ill patients who need machines to help them breathe, including sedation strategies for older patients and hormone treatments to improve physical recovery.
Clinical trial locations
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Netherlands
Study on Early Sedation with Dexmedetomidine vs. Placebo for Older Critically Ill Patients on Ventilators
This trial is testing a sedative medication called Dexmedetomidine in older patients who are critically ill and need machines to help them breathe. The study aims to find out if using this medication early can improve survival rates and other important outcomes.
Who can participate:
- Patients who are 65 years of age or older
- Patients currently in an intensive care unit with a breathing tube inserted and connected to a mechanical ventilator
- Patients who are expected to remain on the ventilator until at least the day after tomorrow
- Patients who need sedative medication immediately to keep them comfortable and safe during life support treatments
Who cannot participate:
- Patients who require medications to support their heart and blood pressure (vasopressors)
- Patients who need certain types of sedative or pain relief medications
What the study involves: Participants will receive either Dexmedetomidine or a placebo (an inactive substance) through an infusion. The main goal is to measure the 90-day survival rate among patients. The study will also track how many days patients remain alive without experiencing coma or delirium, how many days they can breathe without the ventilator, and whether any major kidney problems occur. Researchers will also measure the total time patients need the ventilator and how long they stay in the hospital.
Investigational medication: Dexmedetomidine is a sedative that works by activating certain receptors in the brain to help calm patients and reduce the need for other sedative medications. The trial is testing whether using this medication as the main sedative can improve outcomes compared to standard care.
Study on the Effects of Testosterone Gel on Physical Performance in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Long-Term Mechanical Ventilation
This trial is investigating whether applying testosterone gel daily can help improve physical performance and recovery in patients who are critically ill and need prolonged help from a breathing machine. The study compares testosterone gel with a placebo gel that contains no active ingredients.
Who can participate:
- Males or females over 18 years of age
- Patients who are expected to need invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours (more than two days)
- Female patients of childbearing age must have a negative pregnancy test and agree to use highly effective contraception during the study and for 7 months after the last treatment
- Male patients with female partners of childbearing age must also agree to use highly effective contraception during the study and for 4 months after the last treatment
- Patients or their legal representatives must provide written informed consent
- Patients must have social security coverage
Who cannot participate:
- The exclusion criteria information appears limited in the source data, but patients who are not expected to need ventilation for more than 48 hours would not qualify
What the study involves: Participants will receive either testosterone gel or placebo gel applied to the skin daily for up to 28 days. The dosage is 101.25 mg for men and 20.25 mg for women. The main focus is to measure physical performance three months after admission to the intensive care unit using a six-minute walk test, which measures how far a person can walk in six minutes. The study will also assess muscle strength, muscle mass, and overall functional ability at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after ICU admission. Researchers will monitor for potential side effects such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular events, or changes in blood cell counts.
Investigational medication: Testosterone gel (ANDROGEL) contains the hormone testosterone, which plays an important role in muscle strength and physical performance. The gel is applied to the skin and works by binding to receptors in the body that influence protein production and muscle development. The trial is testing whether early use of this treatment can help patients recover better physically after critical illness.
Summary
These two clinical trials represent different approaches to improving outcomes for patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The first study focuses on sedation management in older patients across multiple European countries including Finland, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands, while the second trial is being conducted in France and focuses on physical recovery through hormone treatment.
Both studies address important aspects of critical care: the first aims to improve survival rates and reduce complications like delirium through better sedation practices, while the second seeks to enhance long-term physical recovery and quality of life. The geographic distribution shows that research in this area is active across Western Europe, with each trial targeting specific patient populations and different phases of critical illness and recovery.
