Cardiac; Deficiency clinical trials

The Impact of the pH on Cardiac Function in the Critically Ill Patient

Study Title: The Impact of the pH on cardiac function in the critically ill patient Sponsor: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Chief Investigator: Dr Sancho Rodríguez-Villar IRAS Number: 227870 Hypothesis: Titration studies in animals with normal cardiac function show that a reduction in blood pH (and presumably that of the intracellular and interstitial compartments) from the normal level of 7.40 to 7.20 is associated with a rise in cardiac output. However, when blood pH is less than 7.20, cardiac output is reduced. Similar studies in humans with or without normal cardiac function have not been done, and yet blood pH at which aggressive treatment is recommended has been set at 7.20 based solely on animal experiments. The investigators hypothesize that a change in blood pH in humans will also affect cardiac function, but the level of blood pH at which this is observed might be similar or different in humans. In addition, the presence or absence of underlying cardiac disease and the type of acid-base abnormality present might modify the response of the heart to changes in blood pH. Primary Objectives: 1. Assess whether there are significant changes in cardiac function associated with changes in blood pH. 2. Relate the changes in cardiac function to the presence or absence of underlying cardiac disease. Study Design: A prospective multicenter observational study in 6 ICU´s (between two Trusts). During a year study period, a minimum of 300 patients will be recruited.