Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06521502

The APS Phenotyping Study

The goal of the observational APS phenotyping study is to better understand risk factors, potential biomarkers, length and severity of illness, and recovery for adults with ARDS, pneumonia, and/ or sepsis. This study will also generate a biobank of specimens collected from these patients that will be available to investigators for future studies of ARDS, sepsis, and/or pneumonia.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center, Fresno, California, United States

Loading trial locations.

About this study

The APS phenotyping study will enroll hospitalized adult patients ≥18 years old who have or are at risk of developing ARDS, sepsis, or pneumonia. Participation in this study will involve collection of clinical data, completing questionnaires, and collection of samples such as blood, urine, and stool. Participants who are mechanically ventilated will also provide samples from their respiratory track. Data and samples will be collected both during and after hospitalization. Analyses to understand the mechanisms underlying ARDS, pneumonia, and sepsis will be conducted, with goals including the classification of patients with ARDS, pneumonia, and sepsis into biologically based phenotype categories and identifying new targets for future therapeutic trials.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

To be eligible for enrollment, a patient must meet all the following inclusion criteria at the time of the first study-specified biospecimen collection (Time 0):

  • Age ≥ 18 years old
  • Admitted (or planned to be admitted) to an intensive care unit (ICU) or other in-patient hospital location where IV vasopressors or advanced respiratory support (invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, or high flow nasal cannula) are routinely provided (referred to as an "eligible unit.")
  • Acute cardiovascular or pulmonary organ dysfunction defined by meeting at least one of the two criteria below:
  • New receipt of invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, high flow nasal cannula, or supplemental oxygen at a flow rate of ≥ 6 lpm for acute hypoxemia.

a. Patients who use chronic oxygen therapy are eligible to participate if they are receiving at least 6 lpm higher than their baseline oxygen requirement (e.g., a patient on 3 lpm O2 at baseline is eligible if they require ≥9 lpm for hypoxemia) or are started on advanced respiratory support (invasive mechanical ventilation, non- invasive ventilation, or high flow nasal cannula).

  • Receipt of intravenous infusion of a vasopressor medication for at least one hour.
  • Acute cardiovascular or pulmonary organ dysfunction (inclusion criterion #3) is attributed to an acute inflammatory condition, including but not limited to any of the following:
  • Any infection including pneumonia.
  • Aspiration pneumonitis.
  • Pancreatitis.
  • Auto-inflammatory condition such as:
  • Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
  • Suspected acute rheumatologic or auto-immune disease with pulmonary or cardiovascular manifestations.
  • Suspected cryptogenic organizing pneumonia presenting acutely.
  • Suspected diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.
  • Suspected acute anaphylaxis.
  • Suspected acute pulmonary drug toxicity.

Exclusion criteria

To be eligible for enrollment, a patient must not meet any of the following exclusion criteria at the time of the first study-specified biospecimen collection (Time 0):

  • Patient/legally authorized representative (LAR) declines participation.
  • Acute cardiovascular or pulmonary organ dysfunction (inclusion criterion #3) has been present for > 48 hours.
  • Patient has been in an eligible unit (inclusion criterion #2) for more than 120 hours (five days).
  • Patient is no longer expected to meet the acute cardiovascular or pulmonary organ dysfunction inclusion criterion (inclusion criterion #3) 24 hours after enrollment.
  • Patient desires comfort measures only.
  • Patient is a prisoner.
  • Patient had out-of-hospital cardiac arrest leading to this hospitalization.
  • Residence immediately before this hospitalization in a long-term acute care facility.
  • Presence of tracheostomy for respiratory failure.
  • Home invasive mechanical ventilation or non-invasive ventilation (except patients with non-invasive ventilation prescribed as a treatment for a sleep disorder may participate).
  • Suspected cause of the patient's acute cardiovascular and/or pulmonary dysfunction (inclusion criterion #3) is an alternative condition (not ARDS, pneumonia, or sepsis), including but not limited to the list below:
  • Drug overdose (without aspiration, lung injury, pneumonia, or infection).
  • Trauma (without aspiration, pneumonia, or infection).
  • Chronic lung disease without suspected infection, aspiration, or inflammation.
  • Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sarcoidosis, interstitial lung disease, neuromuscular respiratory failure.
  • Status epilepticus.
  • Acute pulmonary embolism.
  • Acute decompensated heart failure.
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • Acute stroke or intracranial hemorrhage.
  • Acute bleeding (GI bleeding, post-procedural bleeding, hemolysis).
  • Cytokine release syndrome due to chemotherapy.
  • Inability or unwillingness to complete study-specified blood draws, for example, due to local policies about hemoglobin thresholds for research blood draws.

Treatment and study plan

Blood collection

Other

Blood will be collected from a catheter ("IV") that is already in place or using a needle stick into a vein.

Blood will be collected in hospital (Cohorts A, B) and at visits 3 and 12 months following hospitalization for (Long-term Outcomes Cohort).

Urine collection

Other

Urine will be collected through a urinary catheter that is already in place or by urinating into a cup.

Urine will be collected in hospital only (Cohorts A, B)

Nasal, oral, and rectal swabs

Other

Nasal, oral, and rectal swabs inserted into the nose, mouth, and rectum, respectively. The swabs will be rubbed inside the cavity and then removed the swab.

Oral and nasal swabs will also be collected in hospital (Cohort A, B) and at visits 3 and 12 months following hospitalization for (Long-term Outcomes Cohort). Rectal swabs will be collected in hospital only (Cohorts A, B).

Stool collection

Other

Stool will be collected either in a cup after defecation or by collecting it from a tube or bag that may already be in place that is catching stool.

Stool will be collected in hospital (Cohorts A, B) and at visits 3 and 12 months following hospitalization (Long Term Outcomes Cohort).

Heat Moisture Exchange Filter collection

Other

An HME filter is a sponge that is placed in the tubing between a patient and breathing machine. It reduces the amount of heat and moisture a patient loses when on a breathing machine. Moisture from breath is collected in this filter. The filter is changed every few hours. When the filter is changed, it will be saved to collect the moisture that it contains and run tests on it.

HME filters will be collected in hospital on intubated patients only (Cohorts A, B).

Tracheal Aspirate sample collection

Other

Patients on a breathing machine have a breathing tube in their trachea that connects their lungs to the breathing machine. A smaller tube, called a suction catheter, will be placed through the larger tube and fluid will be gently sucked out.

Tracheal aspirate will be collected in hospital on intubated patients only (Cohorts A, B)

Non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (NBBAL)

Procedure

The NBBAL procedure involves putting a flexible rubber tube through the breathing tube into the airway of one of the lungs. A small amount of fluid is injected into the lung and then a gentle suction is used to collect fluid. Only patients who pass a safety screen showing that they are not at high risk for complications will have the NBBAL procedure performed.

NBBAL will be performed in hospital on intubated patients only (Cohort A)

Surveys

Other

Participants will be contacted by email, text, and /or phone to give updates about their health. These surveys will ask questions about quality of life, mental health, return to work, and re-admission to the hospital. (Cohort A)

Short physical performance battery

Other

At visits 3 and 12 months following hospitalization (Long-term Outcomes Cohort)

Chair Stand Test: For this test the participant will sit in a chair. They will then stand as quickly as possible without using their upper body to assist them.

Balance Test: For this test the participant will stand unsupported for 10 seconds with their feet in 3 different positions.

4-meter walk: For this test the participant will walk 4 meters as quickly as possible.

Hand grip strength

Other

At visits 3 and 12 months following hospitalization (Long-term Outcomes Cohort):

The participant will squeeze a machine called a hand-held dynamometer 3 times with all their strength.

CNS Vital Signs

Other

At visits 3 and 12 months following hospitalization (Cohort A - Long-term Outcomes Cohort):

The participant will sit at a computer and follow the prompts on the screen. This test takes about 45 minutes.

Muscle Ultrasound

Other

At visits 3 and 12 months following hospitalization (Long-term Outcomes Cohort):

The participant will undergo ultrasound on the quadriceps muscle on the dominant side of their body.

Muscle strength

Other

At visits 3 and 12 months following hospitalization (Long-term Outcomes Cohort):

A dynamometer will be used to measure muscle strength in the dominant leg.

Spirometry

Other

At a visit 12 months following hospitalization (Long-term Outcomes Cohort):

The participant will have a clip placed on their nose and will be given a plastic mouthpiece that is connected to a machine called a spirometer. They will place their lips tightly around the mouthpiece and take in as big and deep of a breath as possible and then blow out as hard and fast as they can.

Lung Diffusion Testing (DLCO)

Other

At a visit 12 months following hospitalization (Long-term Outcomes Cohort):

The participant will have a clip on their nose. They will put their mouth over a mouthpiece that is attached to a machine. This machine will deliver a small amount of carbon dioxide when they breathe in and will also record the results of the test. They will then take a few normal breaths. Next they will inhale deeply and exhale completely. They will breathe in quickly through their mouth and hold their breath for 10 seconds or as long as they can. Then they will breathe out.

Chest CT scan

Radiation

At a visit 12 months following hospitalization (Long-term Outcomes Cohort):

The participant will undergo a Chest Computed Tomography (CT) scan which uses special X-ray equipment to take detailed pictures of the lungs.

Primary outcomes

  1. ARDS, pneumonia, and sepsis classification

    Time frame: Through day 7

    Classification of critically ill adults into disease categories based on published paradigms, including the Berlin Criteria for ARDS, Sepsis-3 criteria for sepsis, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for pneumonia.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Death

    Time frame: 28 days, 3 months, 12 months

    All-cause mortality

Other outcomes

  1. Invasive ventilator free days

    Time frame: In-hospital through day 28

    Days alive and free of invasive mechanical ventilation through day 28

  2. Ventilatory support free days

    Time frame: In-hospital through day 28

    Days alive and free of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), non-invasive ventilation (NIV), and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) through day 28

  3. Vasopressor free days

    Time frame: In-hospital through day 28

    Days alive and free of vasopressor use through day 28

  4. New kidney replacement therapy free days

    Time frame: In-hospital through day 28

    Days alive and free of new kidney replacement free days through day 28

  5. Organ support free days

    Time frame: In-hospital through day 28

    Days alive and free of IMV, NIV, HFNC, vasopressors, and new kidney replacement therapy

  6. Coma and delirium free days

    Time frame: In hospital through day 7

    Days alive and free of coma and delirium (defined by confusion assessment method (CAM)-ICU and Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS score) through day 7

  7. Oxygen free days

    Time frame: In hospital through day 28

    Days alive and free of new supplemental oxygen therapy through day 28

  8. Hospital free days

    Time frame: In hospital through day 28

    Days alive and out of the hospital through day 28

  9. ICU free days

    Time frame: In hospital through day 28

    Days alive and out of the ICU through day 28

  10. Acute kidney injury (AKI)

    Time frame: In hospital through day 28

    AKI defined by creatinine criteria from Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)

  11. Major adverse kidney events (MAKE)

    Time frame: In-hospital through day 28

    Death, new kidney replacement therapy, or persistent doubling of serum creatinine

  12. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

    Time frame: In-hospital through day 28

    New receipt of ECMO therapy

  13. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score

    Time frame: Through day 7

    Organ dysfunction scoring system that assesses the performance of 6 organ systems (respiratory, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, coagulation, and neurological). Score range is 0 to 24. A higher score indicates greater (worse) organ dysfunction.

  14. Central Nervous System (CNS) vital signs score

    Time frame: 3, 12 months

    CNS vital signs is a computer-based neurocognitive assessment that evaluates memory, psychomotor speed, reaction time, complex attention and cognitive flexibility. The summary score is called the Neurocognitive Index. Scoring produces a relative score for the individual relative to the American normative sample controlled for age; mean score is 100; the standard deviation is 15; higher scores represent better neurocognitive function.

  15. Short Physical Performance Battery Protocol

    Time frame: 3, 12 months

    Physical performance assessment

  16. Handgrip strength

    Time frame: 3, 12 months

    Physical strength assessment

  17. Quadriceps muscle ultrasound

    Time frame: 3, 12 months

    Physical muscle fitness assessment

  18. Pulmonary spirometry, including forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

    Time frame: 12 months

    FVC is the volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after full inspiration, measured in liters. FEV1 is the volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled in 1 second after full inspiration, measured in liters.

  19. Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO)

    Time frame: 12 months

    Lung function assessment

  20. EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) quality of life assessment

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 months

    A tool to measure health related quality of life. A score of 1 indicates the best possible health state and a score <0 is the worst possible health state.

  21. Impact of Event Scale (IES)-6

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 months

    PTSD assessment scored out of 4, with a score of ≥ 1.75 denoting likely PTSD

  22. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 months

    A fourteen-item scale with seven items each for anxiety and depression subscales. Scoring for each item ranges from zero to three. A subscale score >8 denotes anxiety or depression.

  23. Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 months

    The mMRC scale is a self-assessment tool used to measure the level of impairment caused by breathlessness during daily activities, rated on a scale from 0 (no breathlessness) to 4 (severe limitation).

  24. Clinical frailty scale

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 months

    A nine-point scale based on clinical evaluation of mobility, energy, physical activity, and function. Higher scores indicate increased frailty.

  25. World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 months

    A tool that measures how a health condition affects a person's ability to function in everyday life. Scored from 0-100 where 0 indicates no disability and 100 indicates full disability.

  26. Return to work

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 months

    Assessment of returning to work after critical illness

  27. Financial toxicity

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 months

    Assessment of financial stress after critical illness

  28. Housing instability

    Time frame: 3, 6, 12 months

    Assessment of housing after critical illness

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Jillian P. Rhoads, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

1-615-936-3773

Wesley H. Self, MD, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

1-615-936-8047

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The ARDS, Pneumonia, and Sepsis (APS) Consortium: A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate Phenotypes

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Jul 26, 2024
Registry last updated
Feb 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.