Urine alkalinisation to prevent AKI in COVID-19 [Covid-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Urine alkalinisation to prevent AKI in COVID-19
IRAS ID
283852
Contact name
Marlies Ostermann
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Hospital
Eudract number
2020-004934-39
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 18 days
Research summary
Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the UK, more than 40,000 patients have died. Acute kidney failure is common in critically ill patients with COVID-19. It is associated with a high risk of dying. At present, it is not clear how to prevent or treat kidney failure in these patients.
Recent research has shown that the coronavirus can directly infect kidney issue. It uses a particular protein on the cell surface (the ACE2 receptor) for entry into cells, including cells in the kidney. Entry into the cells is easier if the blood is more acidic.
The aim of this project is to find out whether giving bicarbonate to critically ill patients with COVID-19 can reduce the acidity in the urine and prevent acute kidney failure.
Patients in the Intensive Care Unit are at highest risk of developing acute kidney failure. If patients agree to take part or their legal representative has no objections that they take part, they will be randomised (ie similar to tossing a coin) to bicarbonate treatment or usual standard care. Patients who are allocated to the bicarbonate group will receive bicarbonate drips for up to 10 days so that the pH in their urine is 7.5 to 8.5, ie not acidic. Patients in both groups will be monitored closely. We will also take a blood and urine sample everyday for up to 10 days to analyse the effects and to do new tests of kidney function.
The results will be shared with researchers from the Center of Critical Care Nephrology at the University of Pittsburgh, US. If the study shows that bicarbonate treatment is possible and safe, we plan to do a larger trial.REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/HRA/0440
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion