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Standard vs Targeted Oxygen Therapy Prehospital for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Phase 4
Recruiting
Conditions
COPD Exacerbation
COPD Exacerbation Acute
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT05703919
Lead Sponsor
Central Denmark Region
Brief Summary

The STOP-COPD trial is a randomized, patient-blinded, prehospital clinical trial designed to evaluate the effect of titrated oxygen therapy compared to standard oxygen treatment in patients with suspected acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) treated with inhaled bronchodilators. The primary objective is to determine whether a titrated oxygen strategy targeting SpO₂ 88-92% can reduce 30-day mortality compared to the current standard practice using 100% compressed oxygen as a nebulizer driver.

Detailed Description

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. In the prehospital setting, patients with suspected acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) are frequently treated with inhaled bronchodilators driven by 100% oxygen, despite concerns that high-concentration oxygen therapy may worsen hypercapnia and acidosis, leading to increased mortality.

The STOP-COPD trial is a prospective, randomized, parallel-group, superiority trial conducted in the Prehospital Emergency Medical Services, Central Denmark Region. Patients aged 40 years or older with suspected AECOPD requiring inhaled bronchodilators are randomized 1:1 to receive either:

Titrated oxygen therapy: Inhaled bronchodilators driven by compressed air with supplemental oxygen titrated to maintain SpO₂ 88-92%.

Standard treatment: Inhaled bronchodilators driven by 100% compressed oxygen according to standard protocols.

The primary outcome is 30-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes include 24-hour and 7-day mortality, need for invasive or non-invasive ventilation, development of respiratory acidosis upon hospital arrival, ICU admission rate, length of hospital and ICU stay, patient-experienced dyspnoea, and readmission rates. A total of 1,888 patients will be enrolled.

The study is conducted under emergency research regulations allowing enrolment before informed consent, with consent obtained as soon as feasible after hospital admission. This trial seeks to evaluate whether titrating oxygen delivery in the prehospital phase can improve survival and clinical outcomes for patients with AECOPD.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
1888
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients over the age of 40
  • EMT or Paramedic suspected AECOPD
  • Confirmed suspicion of COPD
Exclusion Criteria
  • Bronchospasm due to asthma, allergic reaction or non-COPD conditions
  • Known or suspected pregnancy
  • Prehospital Non-invasive, invasive or assisted bag mask ventilation
  • Allergy to inhaled bronchodilators (Salbutamol)
  • Inter-hospital transfer
  • More than 2 doses (5 mg salbutamol) inhalation drug, acute treatment by EMS (emergency medical service) personnel, before allocated treatment is initiated
  • Suspicion of acute coronary syndrome

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Titrated OxygenTitrated OxygenIf the treating EMT or paramedic finds indications for inhaled bronchodilators, this will be done with compressed air 6-8 l/min. as the driver for the nebulizer. The patient will have a Bi-nasal EtCO2 (end-tidal carbon dioxide) meter placed under the nebulizer. This will measure the EtCO2 during the treatment and at the same time oxygen can be titrated through this to a target SpO2 of 88-92%. Repeated treatment will be at the discretion of the treating EMT or paramedic according to SOP (standard operating procedures). Following scenarios regarding SpO2 can occur during treatment: SpO2 \<88%: Supplemental oxygen via the EtCO2-meter up to 10 l/min, if higher oxygen levels are needed oxygen will be used as driver for the nebulizer. If the SpO2 remains under 88% additional oxygen can be added via the EtCO2-meter. SpO2 88-92%: No intervention. SpO2 \>92%: No intervention. If repeated treatment is not indicated the patient receives oxygen to SpO2 88-92% according SOP.
Standard OxygenStandard OxygenIf the treating EMT or paramedic finds indication for inhaled bronchodilators, this will be done with oxygen 6-8 l/min. as the driver for the nebulizer. The patient will have a Bi-nasal EtCO2 meter placed under the nebulizer. This will measure the EtCO2 during the treatment and at the same time mask the patient for group allocation. Repeated treatment will be at the discretion of the treating EMT or paramedic according to SOP. Following scenarios regarding SpO2 can occur during treatment: SpO2 \<88%: Supplemental oxygen via the EtCO2 -meter up to 10 l/min. SpO2 88-92%: No intervention. SpO2 \>92%: No intervention. If repeated treatment is not indicated the patient receives oxygen to SpO2 88-92% according SOP.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mortality, 30-dayDay 30 from randomization

Vital status assessed 30 days after randomization using hospital electronic medical records

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Length of hospital stayDay 30 from randomization

Number of days from hospital admission to hospital discharge, collected from hospital electronic medical records

Time to invasive ventilationDay 30 from randomization

Time from hospital admission to initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

Mortality, 24-hour24 hours from randomization

Vital status assessed 24 hours after randomization using hospital electronic medical records

Mortality, 7-dayDay 7 from randomization

Vital status assessed 7 days after randomization using hospital electronic medical records

In-hospital need for NIV (non-invasive ventilation) within 24 hoursDay 30 from randomization

Use of non-invasive ventilation recorded within 24 hours of hospital admission, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

In-hospital need for NIV within 7 daysDay 30 from randomization

Use of non-invasive ventilation recorded within 7 days of hospital admission, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

In-hospital need for NIV within 30 daysDay 30 from randomization

Use of non-invasive ventilation recorded within 30 days of randomization, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

Time to NIVDay 30 from randomization

Time from hospital admission to initiation of non-invasive ventilation, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

In-hospital need for invasive mechanical ventilation within 24 hoursDay 30 from randomization

Initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation within 24 hours of hospital admission, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

In-hospital need for invasive mechanical ventilation within 7 daysDay 30 from randomization

Initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation within 7 days of hospital admission, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

In-hospital need for invasive mechanical ventilation within 30 daysDay 30 from randomization

Initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation within 30 days of randomization, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

Proportion of patients with respiratory acidosis on arrival to hospitalDay 30 from randomization

Presence of respiratory acidosis (PaCO₂ \>6.3 kPa and pH \<7.35) assessed via arterial blood gas analysis within 30 minutes after arrival, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

The degree of acidosis based on the pH (potential of hydrogen) valueDay 30 from randomization

Lowest pH value measured from arterial blood gas within 30 minutes of hospital arrival, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

Patient experienced dyspnoea on a verbal rating scale 0-10Day 30 from randomization

Patient-reported dyspnoea score at hospital arrival on a scale from 0 (no dyspnoea) to 10 (worst imaginable dyspnoea), collected from the prehospital patient record and hospital medical record

Readmission rateDay 30 after discharge

Proportion of patients readmitted to hospital within 30 days after discharge from index hospitalization, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

Time to readmissionDay 30 after discharge

Number of days from hospital discharge to first hospital readmission within 30 days, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

ICU admission rateDay 30 from randomization

Proportion of patients admitted to an intensive care unit during the index hospitalization, collected from the electronic hospital medical record

Length of ICU stayDay 30 from randomization

Number of days spent in the intensive care unit during the index hospitalization, collected from the patient's electronic hospital medical record

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Prehospital Emergency Medical Servises, Central Denmark Region

🇩🇰

Aarhus N, Denmark

Prehospital Emergency Medical Servises, Central Denmark Region
🇩🇰Aarhus N, Denmark

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