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Home › Conditions › Critical Illness

Critical Illness

15 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Critical Illness

60 trials tracked for Critical Illness: 10 in phase 3 or 4 and 5 with published results. The most-cited published study has 301 citations.

60Trials tracked
10Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
5With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 2 Phase 3 8 Phase 2 7 Other / NA 43
  1. Phase 3 Vitamin D to Improve Outcomes by Leveraging Early Treatment Completed · 301 cited
  2. Phase 3 Ketamine / Propofol Admixture "Ketofol" at Induction in the Critically Ill Against Etomidate: KEEP PACE Trial Completed · 103 cited
  3. Phase 3 Midodrine for the Treatment of Refractory Hypotension Completed · 38 cited
  4. Phase 3 Hypovitaminosis D in Neurocritical Patients Completed · 21 cited
  5. Phase 3 Self-management of Sedative Therapy by Ventilated Patients Completed · 4 cited
  6. Phase 4 Effects of Intravenous Acetaminophen on Body Temperature and Hemodynamic Responses in Febrile Critically Ill Adults Completed
Show 44 more trials
  1. Phase 4 Levofloxacin Pharmacokinetics (PK) in the Severely Obese Completed
  2. Phase 3 Supplemental Enteral Protein in Critical Illness Completed
  3. Phase 3 Efficacy and Mechanisms of GLN Dipeptide in the SICU Completed
  4. Phase 3 Computerized Glucose Control in Critically Ill Patients Completed
  5. Phase 2 Code Status Video in the Intensive Care Unit: Video Assisted Patient Education Completed
  6. Phase 2 Inulin for Infections in the Intensive Care Unit Completed
  7. Phase 2 Maximizing trEatment of Neurological Dysfunction Using INtravenous Guanfacine Study Completed
  8. Phase 2 Practical Anemia Bundle for SusTained Blood Recovery Completed
  9. Phase 2 Sleep Management And Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury in Kids: Pilot Intervention of Melatonin Completed
  10. Phase 2 Safety and Dose Escalation Study of Zinc Supplementation in Critically Ill Children Completed
  11. Phase 2 Acetaminophen and Ascorbate in Sepsis: Targeted Therapy to Enhance Recovery Completed
  12. N/A A Study Promoting Critical Illness Recovery in the Elderly Completed
  13. N/A Trial of Glutamine and Antioxidant Supplementation in Critically Ill Patients Completed
  14. N/A A Needs-focused Palliative Care Intervention for Older Adults in ICUs Completed
  15. N/A Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Hyperglycemia in Critically Ill Patients Completed
  16. N/A Improving Communication About Serious Illness Completed
  17. N/A Combining Objective and Subjective Sedation Assessment Tools Completed
  18. N/A Second Survey of Intensive Care in India Completed
  19. N/A A Open Study to Evaluate the Performance of Dressing on Subject With High Risk of Skin Breakdown Completed
  20. N/A Daily Checklists and Outcome in the Intensive Care Unit Completed
  21. N/A Pilot Study Assessing Oxidative Stress in Children Completed
  22. N/A Animal Assisted Interactions With Animal Robot in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Completed
  23. N/A European Mortality & Length Of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Stay Evaluation (ELOISE) Completed
  24. N/A Isotonic Solutions and Major Adverse Renal Events Trial in the Non-Medical Intensive Care Unit (SMART-SURG) Completed
  25. N/A Dexmedetomidine Versus Midazolam for Facilitating Extubation Completed
  26. N/A Exploration of Investigating ICU Mobilisation With Vasoactive Drugs Completed
  27. N/A Development of a Rehabilitation Strengthening and Mobility Program for Ventilator Dependent Older Patients Completed
  28. N/A Use of Nudges To Enhance Enrollment in Critical Care Research Completed
  29. N/A Giving Information Systematically and Transparently in Lung and GI Cancer Phase 1 Completed
  30. N/A Giving Information Systematically and Transparently in Lung and GI Cancer Phase 2 Completed
  31. N/A Pilot Study of Targeted Normoxia in Critically Ill Trauma Patients Completed
  32. N/A Vidatalk Communication Application: Usability, Acceptability and Efficacy Study Completed
  33. N/A LOGIC-Insulin Algorithm-guided Versus Nurse-directed Blood Glucose Control During Critical Illness Completed
  34. N/A Implementation of Nudges to Promote Utilization of Low Tidal Volume Ventilation (INPUT) Study Completed
  35. N/A Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Completed
  36. N/A Personalized Nutrition Delivery to Improve Resilience in Older Adult Trauma Patients Completed
  37. N/A Improving Family Meetings in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Completed
  38. N/A Optimizing Vancomycin Therapy in Children Completed
  39. N/A Continuous Glucose Monitoring With a Subcutaneous Sensor During Critical Illness and Surgery Completed
  40. N/A Family Satisfaction (FS) in the Intensive Care Unit Completed
  41. N/A Enhancing & Mobilizing the POtential for Wellness & Emotional Resilience Among Surrogate Decision-Makers of ICU Patients Completed
  42. N/A Improving Outcomes After PICU Admission: A Pilot Study Completed
  43. N/A Isotonic Solutions and Major Adverse Renal Events Trial in the Medical Intensive Care Unit Completed
  44. N/A Musical Intervention and Physiological Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients Completed

Showing the 50 most-cited and recently-updated of 60 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Depression screening predicts lower health-related quality of life in ICU survivors
Psychiatry RCT
Depression screening predicts lower health-related quality of life in ICU survivors Depression and anxiety symptoms lower health quality for ICU survivors after leaving the hospital
This cross-sectional analysis of pre-randomization data from a randomized controlled trial evaluated 319 intensive care unit survivors. Depr…
A study of 319 ICU survivors found that depression and anxiety symptoms significantly reduce health quality. Screening for these issues is i…
May 26, 2026
Meta-analysis finds no mortality benefit from high-protein supplementation in critical illness
Nutrition & Obesity Medicine Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis finds no mortality benefit from high-protein supplementation in critical illness High-Protein Diets May Not Help Critically Ill Patients
This meta-analysis of 18 RCTs and 8 meta-analyses found no significant association between high-protein supplementation and overall mortalit…
Extra protein in the ICU doesn't lower death risk and might even be harmful over time.
Frontiers May 21, 2026
Endoscopic Guidance Does Not Reduce Complications in Tracheostomy
Emergency Medicine RCT
Endoscopic Guidance Does Not Reduce Complications in Tracheostomy At-a-Glance
In a multicenter RCT, endoscopic-guided percutaneous tracheostomy did not lower perioperative complications compared to nonendoscopic guidan…
A major trial found that using a camera to guide a breathing tube surgery in ICU patients offered no safety advantage over the standard proc…
May 8, 2026
Continuous glucose monitoring may reduce mortality and hypoglycemia in ICU patients compared to point of care testing
Emergency Medicine Meta-analysis
Continuous glucose monitoring may reduce mortality and hypoglycemia in ICU patients compared to point of care testing Meta-analysis links continuous glucose monitoring to lower mortality risk in ICU patients
This meta-analysis evaluated continuous glucose monitoring versus point of care blood glucose measurements in ICU patients.
A new analysis suggests continuous glucose monitoring may lower mortality and hypoglycemia in ICU patients, though evidence remains very unc…
May 1, 2026
Narrative review suggests melatonin for ICU sleep only after non-pharmacologic measures fail
Neurology Sys. Review
Narrative review suggests melatonin for ICU sleep only after non-pharmacologic measures fail New Sleep Strategies Could Help ICU Patients Heal Sooner
This narrative review addresses the pharmacologic management of sleep in ICU patients.
ICU patients sleep poorly due to stress. New research shows better sleep strategies could help them heal faster without risky drugs.
Frontiers Apr 28, 2026
Systematic review and meta-analysis compares intermittent vs. continuous enteral nutrition in critical illness
Nutrition & Obesity Medicine Meta-analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis compares intermittent vs. continuous enteral nutrition in critical illness Feeding ICU Patients: Why Continuous May Be Safer Than Intermittent
This meta-analysis of critically ill adults found intermittent enteral nutrition (IEN) was associated with higher rates of diarrhea and abdo…
For most critically ill patients, a steady drip of nutrition is gentler on the stomach than larger, spaced-out meals.
Frontiers Apr 23, 2026
Ultrasound muscle index TA-PA predicts 60-day mortality in critically ill ICU patients
Rheumatology Cohort
Ultrasound muscle index TA-PA predicts 60-day mortality in critically ill ICU patients A simple ultrasound measure may help predict survival in critical illness
This dual-center prospective observational study of 247 critically ill adults found that lower tibialis anterior pennation angle (TA-PA) wit…
A quick muscle scan at ICU admission may help spot who is at higher risk of dying, new research suggests.
Frontiers Apr 22, 2026
Meta-analysis of 34 Studies Shows Buffered Solutions Do Not Lower Mortality Compared to 0.9% Saline
Neurology Sys. Review
Meta-analysis of 34 Studies Shows Buffered Solutions Do Not Lower Mortality Compared to 0.9% Saline Saline vs. Balanced Fluids: What ICU Patients Really Need
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 34 studies involving 37,859 participants evaluated buffered solutions versus 0.9% saline in crit…
A major review finds no survival benefit for balanced IV fluids over standard saline in ICU patients, though kidney effects remain unclear.
Cochrane Apr 21, 2026
Protein nutritional support in critically ill adults shows heterogeneous mortality benefits and potential harm from very high early doses
Diabetes & Endocrinology Sys. Review
Protein nutritional support in critically ill adults shows heterogeneous mortality benefits and potential harm from very high early doses Why ICU Patients Need More Protein, But Not Too Much
This narrative review evaluates protein supplementation strategies in critically ill adults, including those with sepsis or severe burns.
Doctors caring for patients in the ICU know protein matters for recovery, but a new review shows the right dose depends on the illness, the …
Frontiers Apr 14, 2026
Early supplemental parenteral nutrition may reduce ventilation time and ICU stay in older underfed ICU patients
Emergency Medicine RCT
Early supplemental parenteral nutrition may reduce ventilation time and ICU stay in older underfed ICU patients Early nutrition support linked to shorter ICU stays for older patients on ventilators
A randomized trial in 92 older ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation and achieving <50% of enteral nutrition targets found that earl…
Starting IV nutrition on day three instead of day seven helped older ICU patients on breathing machines spend less time on ventilators and i…
Apr 8, 2026
In critically ill adults, greater quadriceps thickness and circumference independently predicted lower 28-day mortality risk
Nutrition & Obesity Medicine Cohort
In critically ill adults, greater quadriceps thickness and circumference independently predicted lower 28-day mortality risk Is your thigh muscle size a warning sign for survival in the ICU?
This prospective cohort study evaluated 603 critically ill adults to determine if quadriceps mass predicts mortality.
Thicker thigh muscles lower the risk of dying within 28 days for critically ill patients, while arm measurements offer no similar survival b…
Frontiers Apr 8, 2026
Normal saline preservation solution increases serum sodium and blood pressure versus half saline in critically ill pediatric patients
Pediatrics RCT
Normal saline preservation solution increases serum sodium and blood pressure versus half saline in critically ill pediatric patients Study in critically ill children compares two IV fluid types for sodium and blood pressure effects
A double-blind RCT of 88 critically ill pediatric patients in a PICU compared normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) to half saline (0.45% sod…
Normal saline raises sodium and blood pressure more than half saline in critically ill children, guiding safer fluid choices for recovery.
NEJM Apr 6, 2026

Questions about Critical Illness

Do buffered solutions lower mortality better than regular saline in critical illness?

No, a large meta-analysis found buffered solutions do not lower mortality compared to 0.9% saline in critically ill patients.

Full answer →
Can ultrasound muscle index predict how long a critically ill patient will live?

Yes, ultrasound muscle index, especially the tibialis anterior pennation angle (TA-PA), can help predict 60-day mortality in critically ill patients.

Full answer →
Is melatonin a good sleep aid for ICU patients with critical illness?

Melatonin may modestly improve sleep in ICU patients, but evidence is limited and experts recommend trying non-drug measures first.

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Can continuous glucose monitoring lower mortality for patients in the ICU?

Continuous glucose monitoring may reduce mortality and hypoglycemia in ICU patients, but the evidence is very uncertain and more research is needed.

Full answer →
Does using endoscopic guidance for tracheostomy reduce complications in critical illness?

A large randomized trial found no significant difference in perioperative complications between endoscopic-guided and nonendoscopic-guided percutaneous tracheostomy in critically ill patients.

Full answer →
See all 5 questions about Critical Illness →

All Critical Illness Articles