Correlation Between Capillary Refill Time and Perfusion Index in Critically Ill Patients

NCT07555041 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 69HCL26_0232
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 250
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Assessment of capillary refill time (CRT) is a cornerstone of tissue perfusion monitoring in critically ill patients. CRT measurement is performed by applying brief and gentle pressure (for a few seconds) to a small area of skin until blanching occurs. CRT is defined as the time, in seconds, required for the skin surface to return to its initial color after release of pressure. Although CRT is a monitoring tool used on a daily basis in emergency departments and critical care units, its practical measurement modalities remain poorly standardized and time-consuming. Consequently, there is no consensus regarding the most reproducible bedside method for CRT assessment. Moreover, repeated CRT measurements during patient management are resource-intensive in terms of medical time and may raise issues related to healthcare staff availability. The perfusion index (PI) is a marker of tissue perfusion derived from a pulse oximetry sensor. This monitoring device is routinely used in all critically ill patients. It is placed on the finger and worn continuously, including during patient transport. Because PI measurement is automatic and continuous, establishing its correlation with CRT could allow for more precise tissue perfusion monitoring while reducing the time burden associated with bedside assessments in critically ill patients.

Conditions

Shock State; Hemodynamics Instability; Microcirculation; Monitoring

Keywords

Capillary refill time; Perfusion index; Microcirculation; Intensive care

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Perfusion index (PI) threshold associated with abnormal capillary refill time (CRT)

  The primary endpoint will be the PI threshold associated with abnormal CRT (\> 3 seconds). CRT is measured in seconds and PI in arbitrary units. These parameters will be measured simultaneously on each patient. Measurements will be performed at the inclusion of each patient.

  At the inclusion

Interventions

Microcirculation monitoring OTHER

Microcirculation monitoring by Capillary Refill Time (CRT) measurements

Also known as: Capillary refill time (CRT) measurements

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients admitted to a University Hospital, either to a medical or surgical intensive care unit.

You may qualify if:

• Adult patient.
• Admission within the previous 24 hours, or within 24 hours of the onset of a hemodynamic instability criterion (requirement for vasopressors or fluid resuscitation).
• Absence of patient objection.

You may not qualify if:

• Legal guardianship, curatorship, or judicial protection.
• No social security coverage.
• Morphological abnormalities preventing CRT and IP measurements.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospices Civils de Lyon: lead

Study Sites (2)

Service de Réanimation cardio-vasculaire et thoracique, Hôpital Cardiologique louis Pradel, Hospices Civils de Lyon

Bron, 69500, France

RECRUITING

Service de Médecine Intensive-Réanimation, Hôpital Édouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon

Lyon, 69003, France

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Weights and Measures

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Investigative Techniques

Central Study Contacts

Neven STEVIC, MD

CONTACT

4 72 11 28 62; neven.stevic@chu-lyon.fr

Martin COUR, MD

CONTACT

4 72 11 28 50; martin.cour@chu-lyon.fr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2026
• First Posted: April 28, 2026
• Study Start: April 29, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 29, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 29, 2027
• Last Updated: May 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

FR (2)