Clinical Trial Comparing Noradrenaline (NA) Plus Placebo Versus Noradrenaline Plus Terlipressin (TP) in Septic Shock

Introduction: Septic shock is a major health problem. The clinical practice guidelines of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign establish the use of NE if after resuscitation with fluids a MAP> 65 mm Hg is not achieved. In these guidelines, it is recommended to add VP or epinephrine in case of not reaching the goal of MAP although with a low level of evidence.

TP is a synthetic analogue of VP with a long half-life. Preliminary studies on the use of TP associated with NE have not shown a decrease in mortality, although a reduction in organic dysfunction at 72 h, with discordant data regarding the rate of adverse events.

Material and Methods: Randomized, parallel, double-blind and multicenter clinical trial with the purpose of comparing the efficacy and safety of NE plus placebo versus NE plus TP in adult patients with septic shock and with a SOFA score> 4 points. The threshold dose of NE> 0.2 µg / kg / min is chosen to associate the second vasopressor (TP or placebo). The primary objective will be a combined end-point: reduction of organic dysfunction measured at 72 h by SOFA score and by the increase in ICU -free days measured at 28 days. The secondary objectives will be: mortality at 28 and 90 days, the need of renal replacement therapies, mechanical ventilation-free days, vasopressor-free days, and adverse reactions. Sample size of 152 patients (76 per arm), stratified by center and severity of illness. In addition, 6 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the vasopressin V1a receptor and a polymorphism of leucyl / cystinyl aminopeptidase or vasopressinase will be determined to establish its association with mortality in septic shock and with the efficacy and the occurrence of adverse effects due to the use of TP.