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Remote Ischemic Preconditioning for Aute Type A Aortic Dissection Surgery

Evaluation of the Organ-Protective Effects of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: A Multicenter, Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07383909
Enrollment
1312
Registered
2026-02-03
Start date
2026-03-29
Completion date
2032-12-31
Last updated
2026-09-16

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

Conditions

Aortic Dissection Type A

Keywords

Remote Ischaemic Conditioning, ischemia reperfusion injury, emergency surgery, major adverse outcomes

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a technique called remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) helps protect organs during emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). The main questions it aims to answer are: Does RIPC reduce the risk of major complications after surgery, such as heart, brain, or kidney problems? Is RIPC safe to use during emergency ATAAD surgery? Researchers will compare the RIPC group to a control group (who will receive a placebo) to see if RIPC can reduce complications after surgery. Participants will: Receive either RIPC or a sham intervention during their surgery. Be monitored for up to 30 days after surgery for complications. Have follow-up visits at 3 months, 1 year, and then yearly for up to 5 years to track their recovery.

Detailed description

Study Design and Rationale This study is a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the organ-protective efficacy and safety of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in patients undergoing emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). Primary Objective The primary objective of this study is to determine whether RIPC reduces the incidence of the primary composite endpoint of major adverse outcomes occurring from the time of surgery until hospital discharge (or up to 30 days postoperatively if hospitalization exceeds 30 days). This composite endpoint includes perioperative all-cause mortality and severe complications requiring invasive intervention or resulting in organ failure. Key Interventions and Methodology Intervention Group After induction of general anesthesia, patients in the intervention group will undergo RIPC. RIPC will be performed alternately on one upper arm and one thigh for a total of four cycles, beginning with cuff inflation on the upper arm. Each cycle consists of 5 minutes of cuff inflation (baseline pressure of 200 mm Hg; or at least 15 mm Hg above systolic pressure if systolic pressure exceeds 185 mm Hg), followed by 5 minutes of cuff deflation to allow reperfusion. The first cycle of the thigh cuff is initiated after completion of the first inflation cycle of the upper arm cuff. Control Group Patients in the control group undergo a sham procedure identical in timing and application sites to the RIPC intervention. However, the cuff is inflated to a low, non-ischemic pressure of 20 mm Hg for 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of deflation in each cycle. Blinding This study employs a double-blind design. Study participants, surgical teams, postoperative care providers, outcome assessors, and data analysts/statisticians are all blinded to treatment allocation. Only an independent researcher, who does not participate in subsequent patient assessment or data collection, is unblinded in order to perform the assigned intervention. Standardization All surgical procedures and perioperative care are conducted in accordance with standardized protocols at each participating center. Study Endpoints Primary Endpoint The incidence of the primary composite endpoint of major adverse outcomes from surgery until hospital discharge (or up to 30 days postoperatively). Secondary Endpoints Secondary endpoints include the incidence of each individual component of the primary composite endpoint at 30 days, 3 months, and 12 months after surgery; Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores recorded during the first 3 postoperative days; the incidence of postoperative delirium; durations of surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, and mechanical ventilation; lengths of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay; cardiac troponin and serum creatinine levels within the first 3 postoperative days; 12-month survival; and the incidence of unplanned rehospitalization within 12 months. Quality Assurance and Data Management Site Selection and Training Participating centers are required to have substantial experience in emergency ATAAD surgery. All investigators undergo centralized training on the study protocol and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with a focus on the standardized RIPC procedure and data collection. Clinical Monitoring Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) conduct periodic on-site monitoring visits to ensure adherence to the study protocol and to verify consistency between data entered in the electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs) and source documents. Statistical Analysis The primary analysis will be conducted in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Continuous variables will be compared using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests, and categorical variables will be compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate. Sample Size Justification Based on previously reported literature indicating an incidence of major adverse outcomes of approximately 25.8% after ATAAD surgery, and assuming an anticipated relative risk reduction of 26.5% with RIPC, sample size calculations using a two-sided alpha level of 0.05 and 80% statistical power determined that 589 evaluable patients are required per group. Allowing for an estimated dropout rate of 10%, the final target enrollment for this study is 1,312 patients. Interim Analysis and Data Safety Monitoring An independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) will oversee participant safety throughout the study and periodically review aggregated safety data. A pre-specified blinded sample size re-estimation will be performed when approximately 600 participants have completed assessment of the primary endpoint. This analysis will be based on the pooled event rate and observed dropout rate only, without unblinding treatment allocation or conducting between-group efficacy comparisons. Therefore, the interim analysis will not affect the overall type I error rate.

Interventions

PROCEDURERemote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC)

This intervention is a non-invasive organ-protective procedure. After induction of general anesthesia, remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) will be applied to the upper arm and thigh. Both the upper arm and thigh will each undergo four ischemia-reperfusion cycles. Each cycle consists of 5 minutes of cuff inflation at 200 mmHg-or at least 15 mmHg above the systolic blood pressure if the systolic blood pressure exceeds 185 mmHg-to induce ischemia, followed by 5 minutes of cuff deflation to allow reperfusion. The cuff inflation periods at the two sites will be staggered, beginning with the upper arm. The first thigh cuff inflation will begin after completion of the first upper-arm cuff inflation, and the alternating sequence will continue until both sites have completed four cycles. The procedure is intended to activate endogenous protective mechanisms and enhance the tolerance of vital organs to subsequent ischemic injury during surgery.

Sponsors

Fujian Medical University
Lead SponsorOTHER
Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, Xiamen University
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
Henan Provincial Chest Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
RenJi Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Shengjing Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University
CollaboratorOTHER
Qilu Hospital of Shandong University
CollaboratorOTHER
Xinqiao Hospital, Amry Medical University
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
CollaboratorOTHER
First Affiliated Hospital Xi'an Jiaotong University
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

1. Age ≥18 years; 2. Acute type A aortic dissection requiring emergency surgery within 14 days of symptom onset; 3. Written informed consent provided by the participant or a legally authorized representative; 4. Willingness to comply with study follow-up.

Exclusion criteria

1. Traumatic or iatrogenic aortic dissection; 2. Previous open cardiac or thoracic aortic surgery; 3. Persistent deep coma (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8), abdominal compartment syndrome, preoperative mechanical circulatory support, or norepinephrine-equivalent dose \>0.1 μg/kg/min; 4. Estimated glomerular filtration rate \<30 mL/min/1.73 m², total bilirubin \>342 μmol/L, or international normalized ratio \>2.0; 5. Evidence of ischemia in the limb planned for intervention, including decreased skin temperature, pain, or pallor, with or without sensory disturbance, paralysis, or diminished or absent peripheral pulses; severe deformity of the limb; or a history of arterial or venous surgery at the planned intervention site; 6. Peripheral arterial disease involving the limbs, Raynaud phenomenon, active phlebitis, or a history of lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis; 7. Current use of sulfonylureas or nicorandil; 8. Expected survival \<1 year; 9. Concurrent participation in another clinical trial that has not yet reached its primary endpoint; 10. Pregnancy or breastfeeding; 11. Immunodeficiency, a known bleeding or coagulation disorder, sickle cell anemia, or active or uncontrolled infection; 12. Any other condition considered unsuitable for enrollment by the investigator

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
In-hospital major adverse outcomessurgery to discharge or 30 days post-opA composite of major adverse outcomes (binary). Includes: Perioperative all-cause death; Severe post-op complications (Grade III/IV per IAASSG consensus), involving neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, and other systems.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) Score Within the First 3 Postoperative DaysFrom postoperative ICU admission through postoperative day 3The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score evaluates dysfunction across six organ systems: brain, respiratory, cardiovascular, liver, kidney, and hemostasis. Each organ system is scored from 0 to 4, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 24. Higher scores indicate more severe organ dysfunction and a worse outcome. SOFA scores will be recorded within the first 3 postoperative days.
Operative TimeDuring the surgical procedureOperative and cardiopulmonary bypass-related time parameters, including total operative duration, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, aortic cross-clamp duration, and circulatory arrest duration. All durations will be measured in minutes.
Duration of Mechanical VentilationFrom end of surgery until extubation (assessed up to 30 days)Total time from the end of surgery until successful extubation, measured in hours. Re-intubation times are included if applicable
ICU Length of StayFrom ICU admission after surgery until ICU discharge (assessed up to 30 days)Total duration of stay in the Intensive Care Unit after surgery, measured in hours
Hospital Length of StayFrom hospital admission for surgery until hospital discharge (assessed up to 30 days)Total duration of hospitalization after surgery, measured in days
All-cause mortality30 days, 90 days, 12 months, and every 12 months thereafter, up to 60 monthsAll-cause mortality
Postoperative deliriumFrom the end of surgery until hospital discharge, assessed up to 30 days postoperativelyIncidence of postoperative delirium
Unplanned readmission30 days, 90 days, 12 months, and every 12 months thereafter, up to 60 monthsThe proportion of patients readmitted to the hospital within the follow-up period due to causes related to the original acute type A aortic dissection or its surgical treatment, excluding planned readmissions
Incidence of any individual component of the primary composite endpoint at 30 days, 90 days, and 12 months postoperatively30 days, 90 days, and 12 months postoperativelyIncidence of each individual adverse event (including death, stroke, renal failure, reoperation, etc.) that constitutes the primary composite endpoint of Major Adverse Outcomes (MAO) at 30 days, 90 days, and 12 months after surgery.
Postoperative Serum Cardiac Troponin ConcentrationPostoperative days 1-3Serum cardiac troponin concentration will be measured during the first 3 postoperative days. Cardiac troponin I or cardiac troponin T will be measured according to the routine assay used at each participating center.
Postoperative Serum Creatinine ConcentrationPostoperative days 1-3Serum creatinine concentration will be measured during the first 3 postoperative days and reported in μmol/L.

Countries

China

Contacts

CONTACTLiang-wan Chen, M.D Ph.D
chenliangwan@fjmu.edu.cn+8613358255333
CONTACTXin-fan Lin, M.D
lxf1885@163.com+8617850019550

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 17, 2026