Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Intensity in Hyperammonemia
Brazil152 participantsStarted 2025-03-14
Plain-language summary
Acute liver failure (ALF) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) are life-threatening conditions often associated with hyperammonemia, hepatic encephalopathy, and multi-organ dysfunction. Ammonia plays a central role in the pathogenesis of cerebral edema and neurotoxicity. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has been shown to effectively reduce serum ammonia levels and may improve transplant-free survival in ALF. However, the optimal dialysis dose for ammonia clearance and neurological recovery remains uncertain. This randomized, multicenter clinical trial aims to compare conventional-dose (25-35 mL/kg/h) versus high-dose (45-55 mL/kg/h) CRRT in patients with ALF or ACLF and arterial ammonia \>72 μmol/L. The primary outcome is the number of coma- and delirium-free days. Secondary outcomes include ammonia clearance and additional parameters of cerebral function monitoring.
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:
* Age ≥ 18 years
* Diagnosis of acute liver failure (ALF) or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) Presence of hyperammonemia, defined as: Arterial ammonia \>72 μmol/L and hepatic encephalopathy grade ≥2 or Arterial ammonia \>100 μmol/L regardless of encephalopathy grade
* Indication for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), as determined by the attending medical team
* Informed consent provided by the patient or legal representative
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age \< 18 years
* Pregnancy
* Diagnosis of acute liver failure (ALF) in the context of severe hemodynamic instability
* ALF secondary to ischemic hepatic injury
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.