STeroids to REduce Systemic Inflammation After Infant Heart Surgery (STRESS)

May 8, 2023 updated by: Kevin Hill

STeroids to REduce Systemic Inflammation After Infant Heart Surgery (STRESS)

This study's objective is to determine the pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD), safety and efficacy of methylprednisolone in infants undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. This is a prospective, double blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy study. Blood samples will be collected from a subset of enrolled study participants to evaluate multiple dose methylprednisolone PK/PD. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to intravenous methylprednisolone versus placebo. Study drug/placebo will be administered 8 to 12 hours before the anticipated start time of surgery and in the operating room at the time of initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients will be followed for primary and secondary outcomes for the duration of their hospitalization. Serious study drug-related adverse events will be collected for 7 days after the last dose of study drug.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Overview:

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are the most common birth defects, occurring in nearly 1% of live births. Every year, an estimated 40,000 infants born in the U.S. suffer from CHD. Despite advances in surgical management, CHD requiring neonatal surgery is associated with poor outcomes; national registry data demonstrates post-operative major morbidity in 23% and 10% do not survive to hospital discharge.

Poor outcomes after neonatal heart surgery are often attributable to a severe systemic inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). CPB is necessary for most neonatal CHD surgeries. Therefore, to reduce the post-CPB inflammatory reaction, many surgeons administer pre-or intra-operative steroids. Steroids have been shown to reduce inflammatory markers after neonatal heart surgery. However, steroids also have potential harmful effects including an increased risk of post-operative infection. The recent SIRS trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of steroids after CPB in adults and demonstrated no beneficial effect of steroids but increased risk of post-CPB myocardial infarction and other major adverse events.

Adult trial results cannot be reliably extrapolated to neonates because the neonatal response to CPB is markedly different to that seen in adults; neonates demonstrate both a more pronounced inflammatory reaction and a different post-operative complication profile. For these reasons approximately 2/3rds of congenital heart surgeons continue to administer perioperative steroids to neonates undergoing heart surgery. Yet this practice is not evidence based as no safety/efficacy trial has ever evaluated steroids in neonates undergoing heart surgery with CPB. Several smaller steroid trials (all enrolling < 75 patients) have focused on surrogate outcome measures, but none have provided conclusive data.

The major barrier to performing a steroid trial in neonates with CHD has been the high cost associated with trial conduct for these relatively rare defects. To overcome this barrier, the investigators will use a novel approach leveraging existing registry infrastructure at CHD surgical sites that participate in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STS-CHSD). Sites participating in the STS-CHSD collect data into their institutional databases using standardized case report forms so that the data can be exported to the STS-CHSD. These sites already employ data coordinating specialists to capture patient demographics, procedural variables, and post-operative outcomes (including a list of over 60 complication variables) using strict and consistent data element definitions. By leveraging these site-specific resources the investigators project that the investigators can reduce trial costs by >75%.

Background:

Some surgeons/centers currently administer perioperative high dose (20mg to 60mg) intravenous methylprednisolone before neonatal heart surgery with CPB. In a national registry study of > 3000 neonates with data capture spanning 2004 to 2008, 62% of neonates undergoing surgery with CPB received perioperative methylprednisolone while 38% did not. Of those receiving methylprednisolone, 22% received methylprednisolone on both the day before, and day of surgery, 12% on the day before surgery only, and 28% on the day of surgery only. Results of a survey of surgeons from the Congenital Heart Surgeon's Society were similar; 28% did not routinely use steroids for neonatal heart surgery. Of the 72% that did routinely use steroids, ~1/3rd administered steroids pre-operatively and intra-operatively and the remainder gave intra-operative steroids only.

Several previous small translationally focused clinical trials have evaluated the safety and efficacy of methylprednisolone. In the largest contemporary trial, neonates scheduled for cardiac surgery were prospectively randomized to receive either 2-dose (8 hours preoperatively and operatively, n = 39) or single-dose (operatively, n = 37) methylprednisolone at 30 mg/kg IV per dose in a prospective double-blind trial. Neonates receiving pre-operative methylprednisolone therapy demonstrated significantly reduced pre-operative pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 and 8. There were no differences between the two groups in post-operative pro-inflammatory markers and no differences in the incidence of post-operative low cardiac output syndrome. Methylprednisolone was well tolerated with no adverse drug reactions. The overall incidence of post-operative infection was 13% (10/76) and 4% (3/76) received a post-operative insulin infusion for hyperglycemia.

A meta-analysis evaluated six previous steroid trials in children undergoing heart surgery with CPB. The combined enrollment of these six trials was 232 participants including 116 receiving peri-operative steroids; two of these studies used methylprednisolone at doses of 30mg/kg IV per dose (n=67 patients). The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated a nonsignificant trend of reduced mortality in steroid-treated patients (11 [4.7%] vs 4 [1.7%] patients; odds ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.14-1.15; p = 0.089). Steroids had no effects on mechanical ventilation time (117.4 ± 95.9 hr vs 137.3 ± 102.4 hr; p = 0.43) and ICU length of stay (9.6 ± 4.6 d vs 9.9 ± 5.9 d; p = 0.8). Perioperative steroid administration reduced the prevalence of renal dysfunction (13 [54.2%] vs 2 [8%] patients; odds ratio, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.38; p = 0.002). There were no significant differences in the adverse event profiles for patients receiving steroids versus placebo.

The conclusions of the aforementioned studies, as well as several associated editorials have all been that a large, randomized, controlled trial is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of perioperative steroids for neonatal heart surgery with CPB.

Design:

This study is a prospective, double-blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy study of methylprednisolone in neonates undergoing heart surgery with CPB. The study will enroll up to 1500 neonates (< 30 days of age) and the total study duration is expected to be approximately 48 months. An ancillary PK/PD/Biomarker study will enroll subjects at select centers. This study is unique in that it is designed to leverage existing registry infrastructure at participating sites so as to reduce trial costs. Participants will be randomized and will receive a randomization ID. This ID will also serve as a unique patient identifier allowing us to crosslink datasets. Participants will then receive two doses of study drug/placebo. The first dose will be administered 8 to 12 hours before anticipated heart surgery and the second dose will be administered into the pump prime during cardiopulmonary bypass. All study participants will then receive routine post-operative care. Participating centers will enter all demographic, preoperative, operative and outcomes data into their existing institutional databases for submission to the STS-CHSD as they currently do. These data will be used to evaluate trial outcomes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

1263

Phase

  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • California
      • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90027
        • Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
    • Colorado
      • Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045
        • University of Colorado, Denver
    • Florida
      • Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32608
        • University of Florida Health - Shands Hospital
    • Illinois
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611-2605
        • Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
      • Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States, 60453
        • Advocate Children's Hospital
    • Maryland
      • Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21205
        • Johns Hopkins University
    • Minnesota
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55404
        • Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota
    • Missouri
      • Kansas City, Missouri, United States, 64108
        • Children's Mercy Hospital
      • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110
        • St. Louis Children's Hospital
    • Nebraska
      • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68114
        • Children's Hospital and Medical Center
    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10032-3702
        • Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian
      • Rochester, New York, United States, 14642
        • University of Rochester Medical Center
    • North Carolina
      • Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27710
        • Duke University Medical Center
    • Ohio
      • Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45229-3039
        • Children's Hospital Medical Center
      • Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44195
        • Cleveland Clinic
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43205
        • Nationwide Children's Hospital
    • Pennsylvania
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15224
        • Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
    • South Carolina
      • Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425
        • Medical University of South Carolina
    • Tennessee
      • Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
        • Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    • Texas
      • Dallas, Texas, United States, 75390-9020
        • The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
        • Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital
    • Utah
      • Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84113
        • Utah/Primary Children's Medical Center
    • Wisconsin
      • Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53226
        • Medical College Of Wisconsin

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

No older than 1 year (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age < 1 year at the time of surgery
  • Undergoing heart surgery with CPB as part of standard clinical care
  • Availability and willingness of the parent/legally authorized representative to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • < 37 weeks adjusted gestational age at time of surgery
  • Any oral or intravenous steroid treatment within two days of surgery
  • Any patient receiving any of the following medications within 2 days of surgery:

Amphotericin B, aminoglutethimide, anticholinesterases, warfarin, P450 3A4 inducers including (but not limited to) carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, bosentan and nafcillin or P450 3A4 inhibitors including (but not limited to) clarithromycin, voriconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ciprofloxacin, diltiazem, fluconazole, erythromycin and verapamil.

  • Infection contraindicating steroid use
  • Preoperative mechanical circulatory support or active resuscitation at the time of randomization
  • Emergent surgery precluding steroid administration 8-12 hours before surgery

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Methylprednisolone Arm
IV Methylprednisolone
IV Steroid pre-operative and intra-operative
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Arm
IV Isotonic Saline
Isotonic saline pre-operative and intra-operative

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of Participants at Each Global Rank Endpoint Based Upon Their Most-severe Outcome
Time Frame: Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
A composite mortality, major morbidity and length of stay global rank endpoint with endpoints ranked according to severity. For this endpoint, each randomized patient will be assigned a rank based upon their most-severe outcome. Rank of 91 = Post-operative length of stay > 90 days, 92 = Post-op cardiac arrest, multi-system organ failure, renal failure with temporary dialysis, or prolonged ventilator support, 93 = Reoperation for bleeding, unplanned delayed sternal closure, or post-op unplanned interventional cardiac catheterization, 94 = Post-operative mechanical circulatory support or unplanned cardiac reoperation (exclusive of reoperation for bleeding), 95 = Renal failure with permanent dialysis, neurologic deficit persistent at discharge, or respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy; 96 = Heart transplant (during hospitalization); 97 = Operative mortality. Ranks 1 through 90 correspond to the post-operative length of stay in days.
Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
PK/PD - Clearance (CL)
Time Frame: Pre-2nd dose and minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 minutes after the start of CPB, 0-30 minutes after MUF, 1-2 hours after completion of CPB, 4-6 hours after completion of CPB, or 16-24 hours after completion of CPB)
Pre-2nd dose and minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 minutes after the start of CPB, 0-30 minutes after MUF, 1-2 hours after completion of CPB, 4-6 hours after completion of CPB, or 16-24 hours after completion of CPB)
Number of Participants With Mortality, Including In-hospital Mortality or Mortality After Hospital Discharge But Within 30 Days of the Last Dose of Study Drug
Time Frame: up to 30 days
up to 30 days
Number of Participants With Death or Major Complication as Defined by an Outcome in One of the 7 Highest Global Ranking Categories
Time Frame: Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
The 7 highest global ranking categories range from 91 (postoperative length of hospital stay > 90 days) to 97 (operative mortality).
Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Number of Participants With a Post-operative Length of Stay Greater Than 90 Days
Time Frame: Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Calculated as discharge date minus surgery date.
Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Number of Participants With Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation (Greater Than 7 Days)
Time Frame: Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Number of Participants With Post-operative Low Cardiac Output Syndrome
Time Frame: Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Based upon the STS-CHSD registry defined "cardiac dysfunction resulting in low cardiac output" complication variable.
Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Number of Participants With Occurrence of Any One or More of the Following STS-CHSD-defined Major Post-operative Infectious Complications: Postprocedural Infective Endocarditis, Pneumonia, Sepsis, Deep Wound Infection, Mediastinitis.
Time Frame: Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Number of Participants With Any Other Post-operative Complications From the Start of Study Drug Administration Until Hospital Discharge.
Time Frame: Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
Until hospital discharge, up to 4 months
PK/PD - Time to Maximum Concentration (Tmax)
Time Frame: Pre-2nd dose and minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 minutes after the start of CPB, 0-30 minutes after MUF, 1-2 hours after completion of CPB, 4-6 hours after completion of CPB, or 16-24 hours after completion of CPB)
Pre-2nd dose and minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 minutes after the start of CPB, 0-30 minutes after MUF, 1-2 hours after completion of CPB, 4-6 hours after completion of CPB, or 16-24 hours after completion of CPB)
PK/PD - Maximum Concentration (Cmax)
Time Frame: Pre-2nd dose and minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 minutes after the start of CPB, 0-30 minutes after MUF, 1-2 hours after completion of CPB, 4-6 hours after completion of CPB, or 16-24 hours after completion of CPB)
Pre-2nd dose and minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 minutes after the start of CPB, 0-30 minutes after MUF, 1-2 hours after completion of CPB, 4-6 hours after completion of CPB, or 16-24 hours after completion of CPB)
PK/PD - Volume of Distribution (Vd)
Time Frame: Pre-2nd dose and minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 minutes after the start of CPB, 0-30 minutes after MUF, 1-2 hours after completion of CPB, 4-6 hours after completion of CPB, or 16-24 hours after completion of CPB)
Pre-2nd dose and minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 minutes after the start of CPB, 0-30 minutes after MUF, 1-2 hours after completion of CPB, 4-6 hours after completion of CPB, or 16-24 hours after completion of CPB)
Post-operative Biomarkers of the Inflammatory Response to Cardiopulmonary Bypass Including Interleukins 6 and 8
Time Frame: Pre-2nd dose; a minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 min after the start of CPB, 0-30 min after MUF, 1-2 hrs after CPB end, 4-6 hrs after CPB end, or 16-24 hrs after CPB end); and 36-48 hrs after CPB end
Only to be collected at select centers and in those patients whose parent/legally authorized representative have granted consent to blood draws
Pre-2nd dose; a minimum of 2 of any of the following 5 time points (0-30 min after the start of CPB, 0-30 min after MUF, 1-2 hrs after CPB end, 4-6 hrs after CPB end, or 16-24 hrs after CPB end); and 36-48 hrs after CPB end

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Kevin Hill, Duke University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

October 18, 2017

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 31, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

March 31, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 5, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 24, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

July 25, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 10, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 8, 2023

Last Verified

May 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

The investigators will disseminate findings through publications, national presentations, participation in the CTSA Consortium, the CTSA website and via the existing infrastructure of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database. Data collection supported by CTSA funds will follow the principles outlined in the Final NIH Statement on Sharing Research Data. Participating institutions will honor the principle that data sharing is critical for expeditious translation of research findings to the improvement of human health. The investigators abide strictly by the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The investigators will continue to use traditional venues for data sharing, such as publications in leading scientific journals and deposit all applicable NIH-funded research results to PubMed Central in compliance with the NIH's Public Access Policy.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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