Biomarker-guided implementation of angiotensin II to reduce the occurrence of kidney damage after cardiac surgery (Acronym: Angiotensin II to reduce kidney damage (Aided-Trial))

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Alexander Zarbock
• Subject Area: Anaesthesiology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 458888477

Vasoplegic syndrome is a form of distributive shock that is characterized by low arterial pressure with reduced systemic vascular resistance and normal or elevated cardiac output that occurs in 5 to 25% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients with vasoplegic shock after cardiac surgery are at higher risk of organ failure, including acute kidney injury (AKI). Postsurgical (AKI) is associated with several adverse outcomes. Attempts to prevent AKI have largely been futile so far. Prior studies often started with the interventions after an AKI event, when a decline of kidney function (i.e. glomerular filtration rate) was already established. Application of norepinephrine is currently considered as the first-line therapy for vasoplegic shock, but all catecholamines have adverse effects, including myocardial ischemia and arrhythmias. In a recent observational trial, we demonstrated that there is a dysregulation in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) likely caused by a reduced angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity after cardiac surgery. Elevated renin levels identified patients at risk for AKI and were associated with cardiovascular instability and increased AKI rate after cardiac surgery. Furthermore, elevated renin levels could be used to identify high-risk patients for cardiovascular instability and AKI who would benefit from timely intervention with angiotensin II that could improve their outcomes. Therefore, the application of angiotensin II to treat a postoperative hypotension would mean a hormone substitution. Here, we want to investigate whether adding angiotensin II to standard of care group compared to the standard of care control group is superior with respect to kidney damage (personalized approach).

• DFG Programme: Clinical Trials