NCT07012837

Brief Summary

Rationale Bleeding after cardiac surgery is a complication that might result in increased morbidity, mortality, and cost of cardiac surgery by 1.76 (confidence interval (CI), 1.64-1.90) times and a median increase in costs by Australian $33,338 (CI, $21,943-$38,415) \[1\]. Strategies and techniques to reduce postoperative bleeding in identified high-risk patients for bleeding after cardiac surgery might improve outcomes and resource utilization. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is used as a hemostatic agent to prevent and treat bleeding in patients with mild hemophilia patients with von Willebrand's deficiency through stimulating the release of von Willebrand factor from endothelial cells. Previous studies showed controversial results in terms of reduced transfusion requirements in patients with low risk for bleeding with post cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) bleeding following prophylactic infusing desmopressin over 10 to 15 minutes after induction of anesthesia or protamine administration due to its positive effects on the coagulation system responsible for such bleeding. Contradictory, prophylactic desmopressin use demonstrated fewer transfusion requirements in patients treated with antiplatelets, which raises the need to examine its efficacy in high-risk cardiac surgery patients for perioperative bleeding. These controversial results might be attributed to delayed administration of desmopressin after evolving CPB-associated thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction, coagulation factor consumption and dilution, hyperfibrinolysis, and hypofibrinogenemia \[2\] Concerns were raised about the associated transient decreases in systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure after desmopressin administration following discontinuing CPB and administering protamine, which might be related to the rapid infusion rate during the critical surgery stage. The cost of a single dose of Desmopressin 0.3 ug/kg for a patient with an average weight of 70 Kg is about 82US$ which is cheaper than the alternative hemostatic agents proved to be effective in reducing bleeding and transfusion needs after cardiac surgery (e.g., fibrinogen concrete (average of 3 g = 1,167US$) and prothrombin complex concentrate (6,255US$ considering low fixed dosfixed-doseof 1040 IU F IX). It is yet unclear if extended infusions of desmopressin started earlier before the development of CPB-associated coagulopathy and platelets dysfunction from anesthesia induction time and continued to the end of CPB before protamine administration would offer an "efficacy," "safety, and "cost-effective" benefits over placebo in patients with high risks for bleeding after cardiac surgery terms of the need for transfusion, cumulative postoperative 48-hour chest tube outputs, need for reoperation, thrombotic complications, 30-day mortality, hemodynamic stability, and urine output during and after completing infusion, and costs of the study drug and allogenic transfusion requirement. That raises the need to examine its impact on these crucial clinical outcomes. Objective The primary objective of this prospective multicentre randomized clinical trial (RCT) is, compared with placebo, to examine the impact of prolonged infusion desmopressin on reducing postoperative bleeding and the need for allogenic allogeneic transfusion in high-bleeding-risk cardiac surgery patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgical procedures using CPB. Secondary objectives include comparing placebo and desmopressin in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness. Hypothesis It is hypothesized that extended 'desmopressin' infusion compared to 'placebo' results in less postoperative bleeding and transfusion needs (more effective) and leads to less hemodynamic compromise (safer) and cheaper (cost-effective) in high-risk cardiac surgery patients.

Trial Health

63
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
112

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for phase_3

Timeline
15mo left

Started Jul 2025

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress41%
Jul 2025Aug 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 1, 2025

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 10, 2025

Completed
21 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2025

Completed
2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 1, 2027

Expected
1 month until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 1, 2027

Last Updated

June 10, 2025

Status Verified

June 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

2 years

First QC Date

June 1, 2025

Last Update Submit

June 1, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Adult cardiac surgeryCardiopulmonary bypassHigh bleeding risksDesmopressinProphylacticPoint-of-care coagulation tests

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Cumulative 48-hour postoperative bleeding

    The primary outcome is the cumulative 48-hour postoperative bleeding, defined as the sum of estimated intraoperative salvaged blood and blood loss and postoperative chest tube output for 48 hours from surgery. Intraoperative blood loss was calculated from the total volume in suction bottles (minus the volume of irrigating solution), weighed sponges, and the volume collected in the Cell-Saver reservoir (minus the volume of anticoagulant solution). After the chest is closed, hourly postoperative blood loss will be calculated from the chest tubes and drain reservoirs.

    Intraoperative and for 48 hours after surgery

Secondary Outcomes (28)

  • The need for allogenic PRBCs transfusion

    For 7 days after surgery

  • The need for allogenic transfusion of fresh frozen plasma

    For the first 7 days after surgery

  • The need for allogenic individual and pooled platelet units

    For the first 7 days after surgery

  • The need for allogenic cryoprecipitates units

    For the first 7 days after surgery

  • The need for Recombinant Factor VIII administration

    For the first 7 days after surgery

  • +23 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Before induction of anesthesia, patients will receive identical and similar clear study solutions in similar size transparent 50-cc bags, including Saline will be infused over five hours at a rate of 10 ml/hr. The local pharmacists who will not be involved in patients' care or data collection will prepare the study solution.

Drug: Placebo

Desmopressin

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Before induction of anesthesia, patients will receive identical and similar clear study solutions in similar size transparent 50-cc bags, including Desmopressin 0.3 ug/kg of the patient's body weight will be infused over five hours at a rate of 10 ml/hr. The local pharmacists who will not be involved in patients' care or data collection will prepare the study solution.

Drug: Desmopresin

Interventions

Before induction of anesthesia, patients will receive identical and similar clear study solutions in similar size transparent 50-cc bags, including Saline will be infused over five hours at a rate of 10 ml/hr. The local pharmacists who will not be involved in patients' care or data collection will prepare the study solution.

Placebo

Before induction of anesthesia, patients will receive identical and similar clear study solutions in similar size transparent 50-cc bags, including Desmopressin 0.3 ug/kg of the patient's body weight will be infused over five hours at a rate of 10 ml/hr. The local pharmacists who will not be involved in patients' care or data collection will prepare the study solution.

Desmopressin

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Adult 18 years or older.
  • Scheduled for any type of elective cardiac surgery.
  • Using CPB.
  • General anesthesia is provided in an endotracheally intubated patient.
  • A high risk of postoperative bleeding is defined as any of the following \[21-23\];
  • Redo or repeated surgery.
  • Treatment with platelet P2Y12 receptor--inhibiting drugs was discontinued for 7 days (ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and prasugrel) or 5 days (ticagrelor).
  • Any known coagulation disorders.
  • Hypofibrinogenemia less than 150 mg/dl.
  • Platelet count \<100.000 cells/μL.
  • Chronic renal failure, whether dialysis-dependent or not.
  • Liver cell failure Child-Pugh class B or C or the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) \>=29
  • Infective endocarditis.
  • Acute type-A aortic dissection.
  • Expected surgery with CPB time longer than 150 minutes.
  • +1 more criteria

You may not qualify if:

  • Planned for cardiac surgery without CPB;
  • Planned for a combined coronary revascularization surgery and a valve or intra-cardiac surgery;
  • Pregnancy;
  • Consent for another interventional study during anesthesia;
  • No written informed consent;
  • Preoperative need for mechanical circulatory support;

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Imam Abdulrahamn Bin Faisal University (Former, Dammam University)

Dammam, Eastern Province, 31952, Saudi Arabia

Location

Related Publications (25)

  • Redfern RE, Fleming K, March RL, Bobulski N, Kuehne M, Chen JT, Moront M. Thrombelastography-Directed Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery: Impact on Postoperative Outcomes. Ann Thorac Surg. 2019 May;107(5):1313-1318. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.01.018. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

    PMID: 30768933BACKGROUND
  • Khalil MA, El Tahan MR, Khidr AM, Fallatah S, Abohamar AD, Amer MM, Makhdom F, El Ghoneimy Y, Al Bassam B, Alghamdi T, Abdulfattah D. Effects of norepinephrine infusion during cardiopulmonary bypass on perioperative changes in lactic acid level (Norcal). Perfusion. 2023 Nov;38(8):1584-1599. doi: 10.1177/02676591221122350. Epub 2022 Aug 22.

    PMID: 35994013BACKGROUND
  • Vuylsteke A, Pagel C, Gerrard C, Reddy B, Nashef S, Aldam P, Utley M. The Papworth Bleeding Risk Score: a stratification scheme for identifying cardiac surgery patients at risk of excessive early postoperative bleeding. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2011 Jun;39(6):924-30. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcts.2010.10.003. Epub 2010 Nov 19.

    PMID: 21094051BACKGROUND
  • Petricevic M, Petricevic M, Pasalic M, Golubic Cepulic B, Raos M, Vasicek V, Goerlinger K, Rotim K, Gasparovic H, Biocina B. Bleeding risk stratification in coronary artery surgery: the should-not-bleed score. J Cardiothorac Surg. 2021 Apr 21;16(1):103. doi: 10.1186/s13019-021-01473-3.

    PMID: 33882969BACKGROUND
  • Baryshnikova E, Di Dedda U, Ranucci M. Are Viscoelastic Tests Clinically Useful to Identify Platelet-Dependent Bleeding in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery Patients? Anesth Analg. 2022 Dec 1;135(6):1198-1206. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000006231. Epub 2022 Oct 13.

    PMID: 36227767BACKGROUND
  • Orlov D, McCluskey SA, Callum J, Rao V, Moreno J, Karkouti K. Utilization and Effectiveness of Desmopressin Acetate After Cardiac Surgery Supplemented With Point-of-Care Hemostatic Testing: A Propensity-Score-Matched Analysis. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2017 Jun;31(3):883-895. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2016.11.022. Epub 2016 Nov 17.

    PMID: 28169116BACKGROUND
  • Dias JD, Sauaia A, Achneck HE, Hartmann J, Moore EE. Thromboelastography-guided therapy improves patient blood management and certain clinical outcomes in elective cardiac and liver surgery and emergency resuscitation: A systematic review and analysis. J Thromb Haemost. 2019 Jun;17(6):984-994. doi: 10.1111/jth.14447. Epub 2019 May 13.

    PMID: 30947389BACKGROUND
  • Fleming NW, Burke TA. Infusion rate and hemodynamics with desmopressin. J Cardiothorac Anesth. 1989 Dec;3(6):813-5. doi: 10.1016/s0888-6296(89)96804-x. No abstract available.

    PMID: 2521042BACKGROUND
  • Jahr JS, Marquez J, Cottington E, Cook DR. Hemodynamic performance and histamine levels after desmopressin acetate administration following cardiopulmonary bypass in adult patients. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1991 Apr;5(2):139-41. doi: 10.1016/1053-0770(91)90326-o.

    PMID: 1863724BACKGROUND
  • 16. Spyridakis, E., Pentilas, N., Retzios, G., Pappa, E., & Kalakonas, S. (2017). The use of desmopressin (DDAVP) as haemostatic agent in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, 31, S69.https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jvca.2017.02.153

    BACKGROUND
  • Marquez J, Koehler S, Strelec SR, Benckart DH, Spero JA, Cottington EM, Torpey DJ Jr. Repeated dose administration of desmopressin acetate in uncomplicated cardiac surgery: a prospective, blinded, randomized study. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1992 Dec;6(6):674-6. doi: 10.1016/1053-0770(92)90049-d.

    PMID: 1472662BACKGROUND
  • Salmenpera M, Kuitunen A, Hynynen M, Heinonen J. Hemodynamic responses to desmopressin acetate after CABG: a double-blind trial. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1991 Apr;5(2):146-9. doi: 10.1016/1053-0770(91)90328-q.

    PMID: 1863726BACKGROUND
  • Oliver WC Jr, Santrach PJ, Danielson GK, Nuttall GA, Schroeder DR, Ereth MH. Desmopressin does not reduce bleeding and transfusion requirements in congenital heart operations. Ann Thorac Surg. 2000 Dec;70(6):1923-30. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(00)02176-7.

    PMID: 11156096BACKGROUND
  • Reich DL, Hammerschlag BC, Rand JH, Weiss-Bloom L, Perucho H, Galla J, Thys DM. Desmopressin acetate is a mild vasodilator that does not reduce blood loss in uncomplicated cardiac surgical procedures. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1991 Apr;5(2):142-5. doi: 10.1016/1053-0770(91)90327-p.

    PMID: 1863725BACKGROUND
  • Brown MR, Swygert TH, Whitten CW, Hebeler R. Desmopressin acetate following cardiopulmonary bypass: evaluation of coagulation parameters. J Cardiothorac Anesth. 1989 Dec;3(6):726-9. doi: 10.1016/s0888-6296(89)94790-x.

    PMID: 2521029BACKGROUND
  • Dilthey G, Dietrich W, Spannagl M, Richter JA. Influence of desmopressin acetate on homologous blood requirements in cardiac surgical patients pretreated with aspirin. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1993 Aug;7(4):425-30. doi: 10.1016/1053-0770(93)90164-g.

    PMID: 8400098BACKGROUND
  • Hackmann T, Naiman SC. Con: desmopressin is not of value in the treatment of post-cardiopulmonary bypass bleeding. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1991 Jun;5(3):290-3. doi: 10.1016/1053-0770(91)90291-z.

    PMID: 1863751BACKGROUND
  • Shiffrin JS, Glass DD. Pro: desmopressin is of value in the treatment of post-cardiopulmonary bypass bleeding. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1991 Jun;5(3):285-9. doi: 10.1016/1053-0770(91)90290-a. No abstract available.

    PMID: 1863750BACKGROUND
  • 7. Casselman FPA, Lance MD, Ahmed A, Ascari A, Blanco-Morillo J, Bolliger D, Eid M, Erdoes G, Haumann RG, Jeppsson A, van der Merwe HJ, Ortmann E, Petricevic M, Weltert LP, Milojevic M; EACTS/EACTAIC/EBCP Scientific Document Group. 2024 EACTS/EACTAIC Guidelines on patient blood management in adult cardiac surgery in collaboration with EBCP. Interdiscip Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2024 Oct 10:ivae170. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivae170. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39385501.

    BACKGROUND
  • Wademan BH, Galvin SD. Desmopressin for reducing postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements following cardiac surgery in adults. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2014 Mar;18(3):360-70. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivt491. Epub 2013 Nov 21.

    PMID: 24263581BACKGROUND
  • Desborough MJ, Oakland K, Brierley C, Bennett S, Doree C, Trivella M, Hopewell S, Stanworth SJ, Estcourt LJ. Desmopressin use for minimising perioperative blood transfusion. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Jul 10;7(7):CD001884. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001884.pub3.

    PMID: 28691229BACKGROUND
  • PROVE Network Investigators for the Clinical Trial Network of the European Society of Anaesthesiology; Hemmes SN, Gama de Abreu M, Pelosi P, Schultz MJ. High versus low positive end-expiratory pressure during general anaesthesia for open abdominal surgery (PROVHILO trial): a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2014 Aug 9;384(9942):495-503. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60416-5. Epub 2014 Jun 2.

    PMID: 24894577BACKGROUND
  • Smilowitz NR, Gupta N, Ramakrishna H, Guo Y, Berger JS, Bangalore S. Perioperative Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events Associated With Noncardiac Surgery. JAMA Cardiol. 2017 Feb 1;2(2):181-187. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2016.4792.

    PMID: 28030663BACKGROUND
  • Thiele RH, Raphael J. A 2014 Update on Coagulation Management for Cardiopulmonary Bypass. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2014 Jun;18(2):177-89. doi: 10.1177/1089253214534782.

    PMID: 24876232BACKGROUND
  • Newcomb AE, Dignan R, McElduff P, Pearse EJ, Bannon P. Bleeding After Cardiac Surgery Is Associated With an Increase in the Total Cost of the Hospital Stay. Ann Thorac Surg. 2020 Apr;109(4):1069-1078. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.11.019. Epub 2020 Jan 2.

    PMID: 31904370BACKGROUND

Study Officials

  • Mohamed R El Tahan, MD

    Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

    STUDY CHAIR
  • Fahad Makhdoum, MD

    Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
  • Yasser F ElGhoneimy, MD

    Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Mohamed R El Tahan, MD

CONTACT

Yasser F ElGhoneimy, MD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 3
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
Further minimization of bias will be achieved by involving two independent investigators. The researcher who is not responsible for providing anesthesia or performing surgery will perform the Randomization directly before the start of anesthesia. A second investigator, blinded for the randomization arm, will record the primary and secondary postoperative outcome measures.
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: A multicenter, parallel, two-group, prospective, multicenter, randomized, blinded comparative trial in patients with high risks of postoperative bleeding scheduled for elective cardiac surgery at the King Fahad Hospital of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Khobar and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Consultant in Cardiac Anesthesia

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 1, 2025

First Posted

June 10, 2025

Study Start

July 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2027

Last Updated

June 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

The study database will be locked upon completion of data entry and resolution of all discrepancies or missing data, or when the investigators determine that no further resolution is feasible despite reasonable efforts. Prior to locking, a final review of the database will be conducted. Once locked, the dataset will be exported for statistical analysis. De-identified individual participant data (IPD), the study protocol, and statistical analysis plan will be made available upon reasonable request from qualified researchers beginning six months after publication and for a period of five years. Data access will be granted following review and approval of a research proposal and the signing of a data access agreement. Requests should be directed to the corresponding author.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE
Time Frame
Beginning six months after publication and for a period of five years.
Access Criteria
Data access will be granted following review and approval of a research proposal and the signing of a data access agreement. Requests should be directed to the corresponding author.

Locations