RecruitingPhase 2/3

Anticoagulation-free VV ECMO for Acute Respiratory Failure

Canada40 participantsStarted 2022-09-01

Plain-language summary

Currently international experts recommend therapeutic anticoagulation for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Reports and case series suggest that the absence of therapeutic anticoagulation is safe for VV-ECMO. No randomized control trials have assessed this. The aim of this pilot study is to assess safety and feasibility of an "anticoagulation-free strategy" for veno-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO) in Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patient with ARDS on VV-ECMO Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindication to anticoagulation with UFH (known heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, active hemorrhage, any surgery precluding the use of anticoagulation), * Indication for therapeutic anticoagulation (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis, chronic anticoagulation therapy before ECMO insertion) * Low-flow (\<2 liters/min) VV-ECMO (ECCO2R)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

ECMO associated thrombotic complications

Timeframe: through ECMO completion, an average of 14 days

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04273607

SponsorDamian Ratano

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-31

Contact for this trial

Damian Ratano, MD

+1 416-340-3601 damian.ratano@chuv.ch

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Complication trials