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Study on Optimal Temperature During Cardiopulmonary Bypass (THERMIC-4)

Normothermic Versus Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Adult Cardiac Surgery: a Multicentre Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05996120
Acronym
THERMIC-4
Enrollment
100
Registered
2023-08-16
Start date
2024-05-20
Completion date
2026-02-28
Last updated
2025-04-03

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

Conditions

Cardiovascular Diseases, Ischemic Heart Disease, Surgery-Complications, Valvular Heart Disease

Keywords

cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia, myocardial protection, neurologic protection

Brief summary

In order to perform heart surgery, a machine called cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), or more commonly known as a heart-lung machine, is used to maintain the circulation of oxygenated blood needed by the rest of the body and its organs. Historically, when a patient is connected to CPB, their body is cooled below the normal body temperature. This is known as hypothermia. This is because scientific studies have previously shown that reduced body temperature lowers metabolism and therefore offers more protection to the brain and other organs due to the reduced oxygen requirement. The evidence supporting this practice, however, has been challenged throughout the history of cardiac surgery, with studies supporting that normothermia, or normal body temperature, is a safe alternative. Despite this, the practice of hypothermia has persisted. Published data from a survey of 139 cardiac surgeons in the United Kingdom showed that 84% still routinely employ hypothermic CPB during surgery. To assess whether normothermic or hypothermic CPB is safer, a clinical trial requiring a large sample size and high recruitment rates will be required. Therefore, the investigators aim to assess firstly the feasibility of trial recruitment and allocation adherence in this study. 100 adults across 10 different cardiac surgery centres in the United Kingdom will be recruited to a multicentre feasibility randomised controlled trial comparing normothermia (active comparator) against hypothermia (control comparator) during cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery. This study will also test the ability of the Cardiothoracic Interdisciplinary Research Network (CIRN), a trainee-led research collaborative, to collect pilot data on Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events (MACCE) using a regulation-approved electronic application HealthBitⓇ. Participants will also be asked to complete quality of life surveys. The results of this study will subsequently inform a large, adequately powered randomised controlled trial for optimal temperature management during CPB.

Detailed description

Primary Objective To assess the feasibility of trial recruitment and delivery to target in the United Kingdom of a multicentre randomised controlled trial on normothermia versus hypothermia during cardiopulmonary bypass in adult cardiac surgery. Secondary Objective To assess the feasibility of conducting a multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) using a novel Good Clinical Practice (GCP) approved remote data capture as the primary trial database alongside analysis of routinely collected healthcare data. To obtain pilot data, undertaken by the Cardiothoracic Interdisciplinary Research Network (CIRN), to inform a subsequent large, adequately powered RCT for optimal temperature management during CPB.

Interventions

Mild hypothermia (between 32 - 35 °C) during cardiopulmonary bypass

Normothermia (active maintenance of temperature between 36.5 °C to 37.5°C; no active cooling below 36.5 °C) during cardiopulmonary bypass

Sponsors

NHS National Waiting Times Centre Board
CollaboratorOTHER
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
CollaboratorOTHER
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
CollaboratorOTHER
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
CollaboratorOTHER
University Hospitals, Leicester
CollaboratorOTHER
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
CollaboratorOTHER
King's College Hospital NHS Trust
CollaboratorOTHER
University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Leicester
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Parallel group, open label, statistician blinded, multicentre, randomised controlled feasibility trial.

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

Participants may enter the trial if all of the following apply 1. Adult patients (≥ 18 years) scheduled for coronary artery bypass surgery and/or valve replacement/ repair, either in the elective or urgent setting. 2. European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II of 2 or higher. 3. Able to understand and communicate to provide informed consent. 4. Able to read and understand the English language.

Exclusion criteria

Participants may not enter the trial if any of the following apply: 1. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery in combination with other procedures including cardiac or vascular procedures that require deep hypothermic arrest. 2. Patients undergoing emergency or salvage surgery. 3. Patients undergoing off-pump cardiac surgery. 4. Patients who are participating in another interventional trial. 5. Unable to provide informed consent.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Adherence rate to allocation6 monthsThe feasibility trial will be considered positive if 74%\* of target adherence to trial allocation is met, together with outcome 1. \*74% is derived from 80% of target adherence of 92% as per Warm Heart Study
Total number of participants recruited over a 6 month period6 monthsThe target recruitment rate is 1 participant per week per centre. The feasibility trial will be considered positive if 80% of target met, together with outcome 2.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of deep sternal wound infection, with or without treatment6 weeksDeep sternal wound infection is defined with at least one of the following criteria: (I) an organism is isolated from culture of mediastinal tissue or fluid (II) evidence of mediastinitis seen intraoperatively (III) presence of chest pain, sternal instability, or fever (\> 38 °C), and purulent drainage from the mediastinum or isolation of organism present in a blood culture or from the mediastinal area.
Incidence of all adverse events6 weeksComposite of all reported adverse events. Examples of adverse events include: low cardiac output, suspected myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, infections, haemorrhage, and pulmonary embolus.
Critical care length of stay6 weeksNumber of days a participant is admitted in cardiac critical care unit
Post-operative length of stay6 weeksNumber of days a participant is an in-patient after index operation
Incidence of 6-week composite endpoint of Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events (MACCE)6 weeksMACCE is defined as any post-operative death, stroke, new intra-aortic balloon pump insertion, new renal replacement therapy, re-operation and major bleeding in this feasibility trial.
Quality of life post-operation: European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D)6 weeksQuality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D) will administered before surgery and at 6-week follow up
Quality of life post-operation: World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS)6 weeksQuality of life questionnaire (WHODAS) will administered before surgery and at 6-week follow up
Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) post-operation6 weeksClinical Frailty Scale will be recorded before surgery and at 6-week follow up
Frequency of post-discharge healthcare resource utilisation6 weeksNumber of visits to general practitioner (GP) and/or hospital, either district general hospital or tertiary hospital, will be recorded via HealthBitⓇ.
Quality of life post-operation: Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36)6 weeksQuality of life questionnaire (SF-36) will administered before surgery and at 6-week follow up

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Data completeness6 monthsData recorded on HealthBitⓇ will be assessed for percentage of completion
Attrition rate6 monthsFor ascertainment of the primary outcome and for planning of future large-scale study
User satisfaction of ResearchApp6 monthsParticipants will be invited to complete optional survey on user satisfaction of ResearchApp

Countries

United Kingdom

Contacts

Primary ContactGavin J Murphy, FRCS, MD, MBChB, BSc
gjm19@le.ac.uk0116 258 3054
Backup ContactAnn Cheng, MBChB, MSc
ann.cheng1@nhs.net

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026