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Mild Hypothermia and Acute Kidney Injury in Liver Transplantation

Mild Hypothermia and Acute Kidney Injury in Liver Transplantation (MHALT) Trial

Status
Terminated
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03534141
Acronym
MHALT
Enrollment
175
Registered
2018-05-23
Start date
2018-07-07
Completion date
2023-09-14
Last updated
2025-05-16

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cirrhosis, End Stage Liver Disease, Acute Kidney Injury, Liver Transplant; Complications, Chronic Kidney Diseases, Hepatitis c, Hepatitis B, NASH - Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Keywords

Hypothermia, NGAL - Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin

Brief summary

Acute kidney injury (AKI), or worsening kidney function, is a common complication after liver transplantation (20-90% in published studies). Patients who experience AKI after liver transplantation have higher mortality, increased graft loss, longer hospital and intensive care unit stays, and more progression to chronic kidney disease compared with those who do not. In this study, half of the participants will have their body temperature cooled to slightly lower than normal (mild hypothermia) for a portion of the liver transplant operation, while the other half will have their body temperature maintained at normal. The study will evaluate if mild hypothermia protects from AKI during liver transplantation.

Detailed description

This study is a randomized controlled trial of mild hypothermia during liver transplantation to provide protection from AKI. Participants will be randomized to normothermia (36.5-37.5 °C) versus mild hypothermia (34-35 °C) during a portion of the liver transplant operation. The protocol is based on preliminary data from rodent models showing that hypothermia protects the kidneys from ischemia-reperfusion injury, as well as studies in deceased organ donors showing that cooling improves post-transplant organ function. Temperature will be maintained with standard techniques plus a minimally-invasive esophageal cooling device that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The investigators hypothesize that mild hypothermia will reduce the incidence and severity of AKI after liver transplantation(LTx). Standard surrogates (e.g., change in serum creatinine, need for initiation of dialysis) and biomarkers will be used to assess the severity of kidney injury.

Interventions

DEVICEEsophageal cooling/warming device

The EnsoETM (formerly known as Esophageal Cooling Device) is a non-sterile multilumen silicone tube placed in the esophagus for the purpose of cooling or warming a patient while allowing gastric decompression and drainage. It is placed in a manner identical to a standard orogastric tube, which is standard equipment for liver transplant surgery. It is removed at the end of surgery. Control of the patient's temperature is achieved by connecting the EnsoETM to an external heat exchanger (Gaymar Medi-Therm III or similar system). The Medi-Therm III is a standard device used in operating rooms for warming patients with a conductive table warming pad. The Medi-Therm III circulates temperature-controlled water through a closed-loop system via the two outer lumens of the EnsoETM. Water temperature ranges from 4°C - 42°C.

Cooling will be initiated after induction of anesthesia and maintained throughout the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation. In all feasible cases the surgeon will cover the peritoneal surface over the right kidney, which is exposed during the operation, with ice-cold sponges to enhance cooling of the renal parenchyma. After blood flow is completely restored to the liver, the esophageal cooling device and other standard measures (forced-air, fluid, and table warmers, plus a heated anesthesia circuit) will be used to actively re-warm the patient (expected warming rate ≥ 1 deg C/hour). The goal is to achieve normothermia by case end.

After induction of anesthesia, the esophageal cooling/warming device and standard warming measures will be used to maintain normothermia throughout the operation.

Sponsors

University of Colorado, Denver
CollaboratorOTHER
The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
CollaboratorOTHER
University of California, San Francisco
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Liver transplantation from a donor after neurologic determination of death

Exclusion criteria

* Liver transplantation from a donor after cardiac death * Acute liver failure * Living-donor liver transplantation * Simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation * Preoperative renal replacement therapy * Preoperative intubation * Portopulmonary hypertension * Machine perfusion of liver graft

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)72 hours from the end of surgeryAcute Kidney Injury (AKI) is defined according to the International Club for Ascites (ICA) 2015 criteria, a revision of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) criteria for patients with cirrhosis (Angeli P, Ginès P, Wong F, Bernardi M, Boyer TD, Gerbes A, et al. Gut. 2015 Apr;64(4):531-7). AKI is defined as an increase in sCr ≥ 0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours, or a percentage increase ≥ 50% from baseline, or the initiation of renal replacement therapy. Baseline creatinine is defined as the most recent value obtained prior to liver transplantation.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Persistent Renal Dysfunction90 days and 1 yearPresence of a reduction in GFR by ≥ 25 mL/min or ≥ 50% from baseline at the time of follow-up. If patient died before the indicated follow-up time, the outcome was counted as positive (patient had persistent renal dysfunction).
Distribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)72 hours from the end of surgeryThe International Club for Ascites (ICA) 2015 criteria, a revision of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) criteria for patients with cirrhosis (Angeli P, Ginès P, Wong F, Bernardi M, Boyer TD, Gerbes A, et al. Gut. 2015 Apr;64(4):531-7), will be used to define the stage of AKI (Stage 1, 2, or 3). The distribution of the stages of AKI within 72 hours after liver transplantation. The stages of AKI are defined as follows based on the serum creatinine (sCr): AKI Stage 1: increase in sCr ≥ 0.3 mg/dL, or an increase in sCr ≥ 1.5-fold and ≤ 2-fold from baseline. AKI Stage 2: increase in sCr \> 2-fold and ≤ 3-fold from baseline. AKI Stage 3: increase in sCr \> 3-fold from baseline, or sCr ≥ 4.0 with an acute increase of ≥ 0.3 mg/dL, or initiation of renal replacement therapy.
Duration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) StayTime from end of liver transplant to ICU discharge, approximately 1 to 3 daysTime after liver transplantation until patient is discharged from the ICU to a regular hospital bed.
Duration of Hospital StayTime from liver transplant to hospital discharge, approximately 1-2 weeks.From the date of liver transplantation until the date patient is discharged from the hospital.
Need for Renal Replacement Therapy72 hours, 30 days, and 1 year. The original protocol specified assessment at 1 week after surgery. However, this data was unable to be collected and we are only able to determine the outcome at 72 hours, 30 days, and 1 year.Patient is receiving continuous renal replacement therapy or dialysis at the time of follow-up. If patient died before the indicated follow-up time, the outcome was counted as positive (patient was on renal replacement therapy).
Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL)Baseline (start of surgery) and 2 hours after reperfusion of the portal veinChange in serum NGAL levels from baseline to 2 hours after reperfusion of the portal vein (final - initial).
Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL)Baseline (start of surgery) and 2 hours after reperfusion of the portal veinChange in urine NGAL levels from baseline to 2 hours after reperfusion of the portal vein (final - initial).
Patient Survivalup to 1 yearFrom the date of liver transplantation until the date of death from any cause.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Blood Product TransfusionsDuring surgeryThe number of units of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate transfused during surgery. We had originally proposed to measure up until 72 hours after surgery, but we were not able to collect this data at all centers. Therefore, only blood product transfusions during surgery are reported.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Subjects were recruited between July 2018 and August 2023 from patients scheduled for deceased donor liver transplantation at three transplant centers.

Pre-assignment details

Participants were enrolled after liver transplantation was scheduled but before entering the operating room for surgery. Before proceeding with randomization, it was necessary for the attending surgeon to verify that the liver graft was suitable for transplantation. If that was not the case, the transplant could be aborted before randomization.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming Device
The target core temperature is 34-35 °C. Esophageal cooling/warming device: The EnsoETM (formerly known as Esophageal Cooling Device) is a non-sterile multilumen silicone tube placed in the esophagus for the purpose of cooling or warming a patient while allowing gastric decompression and drainage. It is placed in a manner identical to a standard orogastric tube and is removed at the end of surgery. Control of the patient's temperature is achieved by connecting the EnsoETM to an external heat exchanger (Gaymar Medi-Therm III or similar system). The Medi-Therm III circulates temperature-controlled water through a closed-loop system via the two outer lumens of the EnsoETM. Water temperature ranges from 4°C - 42°C. Mild hypothermia: Cooling will be initiated after induction of anesthesia and maintained throughout the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation. In all feasible cases the surgeon will cover the peritoneal surface over the right kidney, which is exposed during the operation, with ice-cold sponges to enhance cooling of the renal parenchyma. After blood flow is completely restored to the liver, the esophageal cooling device and other standard measures (forced-air, fluid, and table warmers, plus a heated anesthesia circuit) will be used to actively re-warm the patient (expected warming rate ≥ 1 deg C/hour). The goal is to achieve normothermia by case end.
86
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming Device
The target core temperature is 36.5-37.5 °C. Esophageal cooling/warming device: The EnsoETM (formerly known as Esophageal Cooling Device) is a non-sterile multilumen silicone tube placed in the esophagus for the purpose of cooling or warming a patient while allowing gastric decompression and drainage. It is placed in a manner identical to a standard orogastric tube, which is standard equipment for liver transplant surgery. It is removed at the end of surgery. Control of the patient's temperature is achieved by connecting the EnsoETM to an external heat exchanger (Gaymar Medi-Therm III or similar system). The Medi-Therm III is a standard device used in operating rooms for warming patients with a conductive table warming pad. The Medi-Therm III circulates temperature-controlled water through a closed-loop system via the two outer lumens of the EnsoETM. Water temperature ranges from 4°C - 42°C. Normothermia: After induction of anesthesia, the esophageal cooling/warming device and standard warming measures will be used to maintain normothermia throughout the operation.
85
Total171

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyEnrolled in other clinical trial10
Overall StudyLiver graft explanted due to surgical issue01
Overall StudyLiver transplant aborted after randomization02

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicMild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceTotalNormothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming Device
Age, Continuous58 years59 years59 years
Body Mass Index27.6 kg/m^227.3 kg/m^227.2 kg/m^2
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
26 Participants54 Participants28 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
60 Participants117 Participants57 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Etiology of liver disease
Alcoholic
22 Participants52 Participants30 Participants
Etiology of liver disease
Cryptogenic
2 Participants10 Participants8 Participants
Etiology of liver disease
Hepatitis B
6 Participants9 Participants3 Participants
Etiology of liver disease
Hepatitis C
17 Participants30 Participants13 Participants
Etiology of liver disease
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
20 Participants41 Participants21 Participants
Etiology of liver disease
Other
19 Participants29 Participants10 Participants
Model for End-stage Liver Disease-Sodium score21 units on a scale22 units on a scale22 units on a scale
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
2 Participants6 Participants4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
7 Participants13 Participants6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
3 Participants4 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
2 Participants2 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
15 Participants34 Participants19 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
57 Participants112 Participants55 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
86 participants171 participants85 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
35 Participants62 Participants27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
51 Participants109 Participants58 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
5 / 867 / 85
other
Total, other adverse events
15 / 8615 / 85
serious
Total, serious adverse events
5 / 863 / 85

Outcome results

Primary

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is defined according to the International Club for Ascites (ICA) 2015 criteria, a revision of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) criteria for patients with cirrhosis (Angeli P, Ginès P, Wong F, Bernardi M, Boyer TD, Gerbes A, et al. Gut. 2015 Apr;64(4):531-7). AKI is defined as an increase in sCr ≥ 0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours, or a percentage increase ≥ 50% from baseline, or the initiation of renal replacement therapy. Baseline creatinine is defined as the most recent value obtained prior to liver transplantation.

Time frame: 72 hours from the end of surgery

Population: Intention-to-treat population. Excludes participants that were withdrawn after randomization.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceAcute Kidney Injury (AKI)56 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceAcute Kidney Injury (AKI)47 Participants
Secondary

Distribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

The International Club for Ascites (ICA) 2015 criteria, a revision of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) criteria for patients with cirrhosis (Angeli P, Ginès P, Wong F, Bernardi M, Boyer TD, Gerbes A, et al. Gut. 2015 Apr;64(4):531-7), will be used to define the stage of AKI (Stage 1, 2, or 3). The distribution of the stages of AKI within 72 hours after liver transplantation. The stages of AKI are defined as follows based on the serum creatinine (sCr): AKI Stage 1: increase in sCr ≥ 0.3 mg/dL, or an increase in sCr ≥ 1.5-fold and ≤ 2-fold from baseline. AKI Stage 2: increase in sCr \> 2-fold and ≤ 3-fold from baseline. AKI Stage 3: increase in sCr \> 3-fold from baseline, or sCr ≥ 4.0 with an acute increase of ≥ 0.3 mg/dL, or initiation of renal replacement therapy.

Time frame: 72 hours from the end of surgery

Population: Intention-to-treat population. Excludes participants that were withdrawn after randomization.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDistribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)No AKI30 Participants
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDistribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)AKI Stage 132 Participants
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDistribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)AKI Stage 213 Participants
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDistribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)AKI Stage 311 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDistribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)AKI Stage 318 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDistribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)No AKI38 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDistribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)AKI Stage 29 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDistribution of the Stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)AKI Stage 120 Participants
Secondary

Duration of Hospital Stay

From the date of liver transplantation until the date patient is discharged from the hospital.

Time frame: Time from liver transplant to hospital discharge, approximately 1-2 weeks.

Population: Intention-to-treat population. Excludes participants that were withdrawn after randomization.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDuration of Hospital Stay7 days
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDuration of Hospital Stay7 days
Secondary

Duration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Stay

Time after liver transplantation until patient is discharged from the ICU to a regular hospital bed.

Time frame: Time from end of liver transplant to ICU discharge, approximately 1 to 3 days

Population: Intention-to-treat population. Excludes participants that were withdrawn after randomization.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDuration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Stay36 hours
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceDuration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Stay37 hours
Secondary

Need for Renal Replacement Therapy

Patient is receiving continuous renal replacement therapy or dialysis at the time of follow-up. If patient died before the indicated follow-up time, the outcome was counted as positive (patient was on renal replacement therapy).

Time frame: 72 hours, 30 days, and 1 year. The original protocol specified assessment at 1 week after surgery. However, this data was unable to be collected and we are only able to determine the outcome at 72 hours, 30 days, and 1 year.

Population: Intention-to-treat population. Excludes participants that were withdrawn after randomization.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceNeed for Renal Replacement TherapyRenal replacement therapy within 72 hours after liver transplant.8 Participants
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceNeed for Renal Replacement TherapyRenal replacement therapy at 30 days after liver transplant.8 Participants
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceNeed for Renal Replacement TherapyRenal replacement therapy at 1 year after liver transplant.7 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceNeed for Renal Replacement TherapyRenal replacement therapy within 72 hours after liver transplant.13 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceNeed for Renal Replacement TherapyRenal replacement therapy at 30 days after liver transplant.5 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceNeed for Renal Replacement TherapyRenal replacement therapy at 1 year after liver transplant.9 Participants
Secondary

Patient Survival

From the date of liver transplantation until the date of death from any cause.

Time frame: up to 1 year

Population: Intention-to-treat population. Excludes participants that were withdrawn after randomization.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DevicePatient Survival81 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DevicePatient Survival78 Participants
Secondary

Persistent Renal Dysfunction

Presence of a reduction in GFR by ≥ 25 mL/min or ≥ 50% from baseline at the time of follow-up. If patient died before the indicated follow-up time, the outcome was counted as positive (patient had persistent renal dysfunction).

Time frame: 90 days and 1 year

Population: Intention-to-treat population. Excludes participants that were withdrawn after randomization.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DevicePersistent Renal DysfunctionPersistent renal dysfunction at 90 days after liver transplant.24 Participants
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DevicePersistent Renal DysfunctionPersistent renal dysfunction at 1 year after liver transplant.28 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DevicePersistent Renal DysfunctionPersistent renal dysfunction at 90 days after liver transplant.25 Participants
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DevicePersistent Renal DysfunctionPersistent renal dysfunction at 1 year after liver transplant.32 Participants
Secondary

Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL)

Change in serum NGAL levels from baseline to 2 hours after reperfusion of the portal vein (final - initial).

Time frame: Baseline (start of surgery) and 2 hours after reperfusion of the portal vein

Population: Serum for NGAL determination was only collected at the coordinating center. It was not feasible to collect serum for all patients due to research personnel being unavailable during some off-hours and weekend liver transplants.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceSerum Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL)20.8 ng/mL
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceSerum Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL)26.15 ng/mL
Secondary

Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL)

Change in urine NGAL levels from baseline to 2 hours after reperfusion of the portal vein (final - initial).

Time frame: Baseline (start of surgery) and 2 hours after reperfusion of the portal vein

Population: Urine for NGAL determination was only collected at the coordinating center. It was not feasible to collect urine for all patients due to research personnel being unavailable during some off-hours and weekend liver transplants.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceUrine Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL)156.3 ng/mL
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceUrine Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL)81.85 ng/mL
Other Pre-specified

Blood Product Transfusions

The number of units of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate transfused during surgery. We had originally proposed to measure up until 72 hours after surgery, but we were not able to collect this data at all centers. Therefore, only blood product transfusions during surgery are reported.

Time frame: During surgery

Population: Intention-to-treat population. Excludes participants that were withdrawn after randomization.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceBlood Product TransfusionsPacked red blood cells4 Units of blood product transfused
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceBlood Product TransfusionsFresh frozen plasma8.5 Units of blood product transfused
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceBlood Product TransfusionsPlatelets2 Units of blood product transfused
Mild Hypothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceBlood Product TransfusionsCryoprecipitate0 Units of blood product transfused
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceBlood Product TransfusionsCryoprecipitate0 Units of blood product transfused
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceBlood Product TransfusionsPacked red blood cells5 Units of blood product transfused
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceBlood Product TransfusionsPlatelets2 Units of blood product transfused
Normothermia & Esophageal Cooling/Warming DeviceBlood Product TransfusionsFresh frozen plasma9 Units of blood product transfused

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 11, 2026