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AzTrials

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)PEPERNCT06849570

Assessment of the PEEP Responsiveness to Titrate End-expiratory Pressure and of the Need for Muscle Relaxation During Prone Positioning in Moderate-to-severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Master Protocol

A study testing Minimal distension, Maximal Recruitment and Prone position + early NMBAs in people with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs), run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 29 sites in France.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Despite best supportive care, mortality of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrom (ARDS) remains high. In the absence of specific treatments, providing safe and efficient mechanical ventilation (MV) is key to survival. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Minimal distension, Maximal Recruitment and Prone position + early NMBAs
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
1,200 participants
Where
29 sitesFrance
Study dates
5 Nov 2025to 5 Nov 2029
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Invasive mechanical ventilation within 96 hours of ICU admission and within 72 hours of tracheal intubation for first randomization and then within 72 hours of the first randomization for the second randomization
  • Patients meeting the Berlin ARDS definition criteria with hypoxemia characterized as
  • for first randomization: PaO2/FiO2 ≤150 mmHg on a PEEP ≥5 cmH2O with FiO2≥0.6 while VT is 6 ml/kg Predicted Body Weight (PBW) and adequate sedation level to adjust mechanical ventilation settings
  • for second randomization: PaO2/FiO2 ≤150 mmHg on optimized ventilatory settings according to the first randomization, confirmed by two Arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses separated by an interval time of 4 hours and observed within 72 hours of the first randomization
  • Informed consent signed:
  • by the patient
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Or informed consent signed by a family members/trustworthy person if his condition does not allow him to express his consent by written as per L. 1111-6
  • Or in a situation urgently and in the absence of family members/trustworthy person, the patient can be enrolled. The consent to participate to the research will be requested as soon as the condition of the patient will allow him to consent.
  • Health insurance coverage

Who cannot join

  • Age < 18 years
  • Known pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Participation in another interventional studies as long as these studies do not interfere with the primary endpoint and the secondary safety objectives of PEPER, or being in the exclusion period at the end of a previous study.
  • Intracranial pressure > 30 mm Hg or cerebral perfusion pressure < 60 mmHg
  • Severe chronic respiratory disease requiring long-term O2 therapy or home mechanical ventilation (except Continuous positive arway pressure (CPAP)/ Bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP) used for sleep apnea syndrome)
  • Chronic interstitial lung disease
Show all 19Show fewer
  • Continuous neuromuscular blockade infusion at enrolment
  • Previous hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reaction to any NMBA
  • Neuromuscular disease that may potentiate neuromuscular blockade or impair spontaneous ventilation: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, upper spinal injury at level C5 or above
  • Patients on ECMO or any technique of extracorporeal CO2 removal
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Actual body weight >1 kg/cm of height
  • Severe chronic liver disease defined as a Child-Pugh score of 12-15
  • Pneumothorax at randomization
  • Expected duration of mechanical ventilation <48 hours
  • Simplified acute physiology score SAPS II score >75 at the time of enrolment or suffering from a disease with an estimated survival time of less than two months
  • Decision to withhold life-sustaining treatment
  • Patients deprived of freedom or under legal authority
  • Unstable spine fracture

Trial locations and contacts

29 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Jérôme Lambert, MD PhD contact

+33142499742 ext. +33

jerome.lambert@u-paris.fr

29 sites in 1 country

France29 sites, 29 recruiting
  • CH Aix

    Aix-en-Provence

    Laurent Lefebvre, 04 42 33 50 24 ext. +33, llefebvre@ch-aix.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Pellegrin

    Bordeaux

    Pierre Godard, 0556795679 ext. +33, pierre.godard@chu-bordeaux.fr

    Recruiting
  • CH Fleyriat

    Bourg-en-Bresse

    Pauline Bernon, 04 74 45 40 29 ext. +33, pbernon@ch-bourg01.fr

    Recruiting
  • Cavale Blanche

    Brest

    Gwenael Prat, 02 98 34 71 51 ext. +33, Gwenael.prat@chu-brest.fr

    Recruiting
  • CHU de Caen Normandie

    Caen

    Cédric Daubin, 0231064716 ext. +33, daubin-c@chu-caen.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital de Dieppe

    Dieppe

    Pierre-Louis Declerq, 0232147556 ext. +33, pdeclercq@ch-dieppe.fr

    Recruiting
  • CHI Fréjus Saint Raphaël

    Fréjus

    Alexandra Carcy-Hombreux, 04 94 40 21 00 ext. +33, Alexandra.carcyhombreux@chi-fsr.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Raymond Poincaré AP-HP

    Garches

    Djillali Annane, 0147104615 ext. +33, djillali.annane@aphp.fr

    Recruiting
  • CHU Grenoble

    Grenoble

    Guillaume Dumas, 0476767575 ext. +33, GDumasgalant@chu-grenoble.fr

    Recruiting
  • CH de Bicêtre

    Le Kremlin-Bicêtre

    Tai Olivier Pham, 01 45 21 21 21 ext. +33, tai.pham@aphp.fr

    Recruiting
  • CH du Mans

    Le Mans

    Cédric Darreau, 02 43 43 43 43 ext. +33, cdarreau@ch-lemans.fr

    Recruiting
  • Croix Rousse

    Lyon

    Laurent Bitker, 0472071762 ext. +33, laurent.bitker@chu-lyon.fr

    Recruiting
  • Groupement Hospitalier Sud

    Lyon

    Auguste Dargent, 04 72 66 64 01 ext. +33, auguste.dargent@chu-lyon.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Sait Joseph Saint Luc

    Lyon

    Gaël Bourdin, 04 78 61 82 09 ext. +33, gbourdin@saintjosephsaintluc.fr

    Recruiting
  • APHM CHU Nord

    Marseille

    Sami Hraiech, 04 91 38 00 00 ext. +33, sami.hraiech@ap-hm.fr

    Recruiting
  • La Timone

    Marseille

    Marc Gainnier, 04 13 42 96 37 ext. +33, Marc.gainnier@ap-hm.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital de Brabois

    Nancy

    Matthieu Zoszutski, 03 83 15 53 52 ext. +33, A.gutehrle@chru-nancy.fr

    Recruiting
  • CHU de Nantes

    Nantes

    Jean Reignier, 02.40.08.73.80 ext. +33, Jean.reignier@chu-nantes.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hopital de l'Archet 1

    Nice

    Clément Saccheri, 04 92 03 77 77 ext. +33, saccheri.c@chu-nice.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Cochin AP-HP

    Paris

    Frédéric Pène, 01 58 41 25 17 ext. +33, Frederic.pene@aphp.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital de La Pitié Salpetrière AP-HP

    Paris

    Jean-Michel Constantin, 01 42 16 22 59 ext. +33, jean-michel.constantin@aphp.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Saint Louis

    Paris

    Michael Darmon, 0142499420 ext. +33, michael.darmon@aphp.fr

    Recruiting
  • La Pitié Salpetriere hospital - AP-HP

    Paris

    Alexandre Demoule, 01 42 16 78 13 ext. +33, Alexandre.demoule@aphp.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Charles Nicolle

    Rouen

    Gaetan Beduneau, 0232888261 ext. +33, Gaetan.Beduneau@chu-rouen.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Nord

    Saint-Etienne

    Jérôme Morel, 04 77 12 03 88 ext. +33, jerome.morel@chu-st-etienne.fr

    Recruiting
  • CMC Foch

    Suresnes

    Jérôme Devaquet, 01 46 25 24 79 ext. +33, j.devaquet@hopital-foch.com

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital Bretonneau

    Tours

    Laetitia Bodet-Contentin, 02 47 47 38 55 ext. +33, Laetitia.contentin@univ-tours.fr

    Recruiting
  • Centre Hospitalier de Troyes

    Troyes

    03 25 49 70 25 ext. +33, bassam.beilouny@hcs-sante.fr

    Recruiting
  • Hôpital André Mignot

    Versailles

    01 39 63 84 47 ext. +33, agros@ght78sud.fr

    Recruiting

Other trials in France

About this study

Despite best supportive care, mortality of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrom (ARDS) remains high. In the absence of specific treatments, providing safe and efficient mechanical ventilation (MV) is key to survival.

The use of low tidal volumes (VT) and plateau pressures (PPLAT) improves survival in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but the safest VT to be applied for each patient remains unknown. Whether targeting low ∆P instead of a 6 mL/kg VT improves outcome has not been tested prospectively. The optimal method to set PEEP is also a matter of debate. As the amount of potentially recruitable lung vary widely among patients and is strongly associated with the response to PEEP, it may be necessary to tailor PEEP settings based on the response to a PEEP trial.

Read more

The first aim is to test a personalized approach to set PEEP widely supported by the literature. The first hypothesis is that i) patients with greater amounts of recruitable lung may benefit from higher PEEP levels, provided that attention is paid to maintain ∆P below 14 cmH2O, ii) setting PEEP based on results of a PEEP-responsiveness test improves survival as compared to low- and high-PEEP strategies applied independently of the patient response.

Apart from VT reduction and PPLAT control below 30 cmH2O, only 2 interventions demonstrated a reduction of mortality in large RCTs: a 48-hour continuous infusion of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) at the acute phase of ARDS6 and the use of prone positioning (PP). Whereas there is little doubt on the utility of PP in patients with PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 150 mmHg, there is more controversy on the impact of NMBAs on survival. Despite a strong rationale and a very widespread use in clinical practice, no current guidelines answer the question of the best timing of muscle relaxation in moderate to severe ARDS patients treated with PP.

As a second aim, the hypothesis is that the early systematic and combined use of NMBAs improved survival of patients with moderate to severe ARDS requiring prone positioning after optimization of PEEP settings.

Being tested
Minimal distension, Maximal Recruitment, Prone position + early NMBAs, Prone position + rescue NMBAs
Medical subject headings
Respiratory Distress Syndrome

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Minimal distensionOther

    Patients receive tidal volume (VT) of 6 mL/kg and conservative positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) setting.

  • Maximal RecruitmentOther

    Patients receive tidal volume adjusted to limit plateau pressure (∆P) to 14 cmH2O and the highest possible PEEP while maintaining plateau pressure (PPLAT) ≤ 27 cmH2O.

  • Prone position + early NMBAsOther

    NMBAs given as soon as possible after randomization

  • Prone position + rescue NMBAsOther

    NMBAs given only as a rescue

Study groups in NCT06849570
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
First randomization : Arm A : Routine care Minimal distentionActive comparatorDecision of the ventilation strategy according to the routine care
Receives: Other: Minimal distension
First randomization : Arm B Routine care maximal recruitmentActive comparatorDecision of the ventilation strategy according to the routine care
Receives: Other: Maximal Recruitment
First randomization: Arm C : Decision of th ventilation strategy according to the PRT resultExperimentalMaximal recruitment strategy in patients with positive PEEP responsiveness test (PRT) or minimal distension strategy in patients with negative PRT.
Receives: Other: Minimal distension; Other: Maximal Recruitment
Second randomization : NMBAs used as a rescueActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Other: Prone position + rescue NMBAs
Second randomization : early NMBAs used as soon as possibleExperimentalNot described
Receives: Other: Prone position + early NMBAs

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. 28-day all-cause mortality

    Measured: 28 days after randomization

Secondary outcomes (75)
  1. Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction

    PaO2/FiO2

    Measured: 24 hours after randomization

  2. Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction

    PaO2/FiO2

    Measured: 48 hours after randomization

  3. Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction

    PaO2/FiO2

    Measured: 72 hours after randomization

  4. Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction

    PaO2/FiO2

    Measured: 7 days after randomization

  5. Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction

    PaO2/FiO2

    Measured: 14 days after randomization

  6. Oxygen index

    Measured: 24 hours after randomization

  7. Oxygen index

    Measured: 48 hours after randomization

  8. Oxygen index

    Measured: 72 hours after randomization

  9. Oxygen index

    Measured: 7 days after randomization

  10. Oxygen index

    Measured: 14 days after randomization

  11. Tidal volume

    Amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled during a normal, relaxed breath

    Measured: 24 hours after randomization

  12. Tidal volume

    Amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled during a normal, relaxed breath

    Measured: 48 hours after randomization

  13. Tidal Volume

    Amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled during a normal, relaxed breath

    Measured: 72 hours after randomization

  14. Tidal Volume

    Measured: 7 days after randomization

  15. Tidal Volume

    Measured: 14 days after randomization

  16. Respiratory Rate

    Measured: 24 hours after randomization

  17. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score

    Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score varies from 0 to 4 and permit to assess organ failure. A higher score indicates better neurological function

    Measured: 24 hours after randomization

  18. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score

    Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score varies from 0 to 4 and permit to assess organ failure. A higher score indicates better neurological function

    Measured: 48 hours after randomization

  19. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score

    Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score varies from 0 to 4 and permit to assess organ failure. A higher score indicates better neurological function

    Measured: 72 hours after randomization

  20. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score

    Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score varies from 0 to 4 and permit to assess organ failure. A higher score indicates better neurological function

    Measured: 7 days after randomization

  21. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score

    Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score varies from 0 to 4 and permit to assess organ failure. A higher score indicates better neurological function

    Measured: 14 days after randomization

  22. All-cause mortality

    Measured: 90 days after inclusion

  23. All-cause mortality

    Measured: 1 year after inclusion

  24. All-cause Intensive care unit mortality

    Measured: 90 days after inclusion

  25. All-cause Intensive care unit mortality

    Measured: 1 year after inclusion

  26. All-cause hospital mortality

    Measured: 90 days after inclusion

  27. All-cause hospital mortality

    Measured: 1 year after inclusion

  28. Duration of mechanical ventilation

    Measured: Up to 1 year

  29. Ventilator Free Days

    Measured: 28 days after inclusion

  30. Intensive Care Unit length of stay

    Measured: Up to 1 year

  31. Hospital length of stay

    Measured: Up to 1 year

  32. ICU free-days

    Measured: 28 days after inclusion

  33. Respiratory Rate

    Measured: 48 hours after randomization

  34. Respiratory Rate

    Measured: 72 hours after randomization

  35. Respiratory Rate

    Measured: 7 days after randomization

  36. Respiratory Rate

    Measured: 14 days after randomization

  37. Total Postitive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)

    Measured: 24 hours after randomization

  38. Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)

    Measured: 48 hours after randomization

  39. Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)

    Measured: 72 hours after randomization

  40. Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)

    Measured: 7 days after randomization

  41. Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)

    Measured: 14 days after randomization

  42. Peak Pressure

    Measured: 24 hours after randomization

  43. Peak Pressure

    Measured: 48 hours after randomization

  44. Peak Pressure

    Measured: 72 hours after randomization

  45. Peak Pressure

    Measured: 7 days after randomization

  46. Peak Pressure

    Measured: 14 days after randomization

  47. Plateau Pressure

    Measured: 24 hours after randomization

  48. Plateau Pressure

    Measured: 48 hours after randomization

  49. Plateau Pressure

    Measured: 7 days after randomization

  50. Plateau Pressure

    Measured: 14 days after randomization

  51. compliance of the respiratory system

    Measured: 24 hours after randomization

  52. compliance of the respiratory system

    Measured: 48 hours after randomization

  53. compliance of the respiratory system

    Measured: 72 hours after randomization

  54. compliance of the respiratory system

    Measured: 7 days after randomization

  55. compliance of the respiratory system

    Measured: 14 days after randomization

  56. Hospital-free-days

    Measured: 28 days after inclusion

  57. Hospital-free-days

    Measured: 90 days after inclusion

  58. Occurence of barotrauma

    Defined as any pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, or pneumatocele of more than 2 cm detected on image examinations

    Measured: 7 days after inclusion

  59. Occurrence of acute cor pulmonale

    Defined by the combination of a right/left ventricular diameter ratio greater than 0.6 and a paradoxical septum

    Measured: 7 days after inclusion

  60. ICU acquired weakness

    Assessed by the medical research council (MRC) score at ICU discharge. The score ranges from 0 to 60. A score < 48 defines ICU acquired weakness

    Measured: Up to 1 year

  61. Number of days using other rescue procedures

    Other rescue procedure including inhaled nitric oxide, almitrine, epoprostenol sodium, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R)

    Measured: Up to 1 year

  62. Use of NMBAs during the first 3 days following the first randomization or following inclusion in the rescue arm of the second randomization

    Measured: Up to day 28

  63. Muscle relaxants-free days

    Between inclusion and day 7

    Measured: Up to day 7

  64. Number of days alive and without continuous IV administration of sedatives/analgesics

    Measured: At day 7

  65. Number of days alive and without continuous IV administration of sedatives/analgesics

    Measured: At day 28

  66. Presence of delirium (CAM-ICU)

    Measured: At day 14

  67. Presence of delirium (CAM-ICU)

    At ICU discharge

    Measured: Up to 1 year

  68. Disability

    Assessed by the Activities of Daily Living score (Lawton IADL) The score is divided in 8 domains and ranges from 0 to 8. The higher the score, the more independent is the person.

    Measured: At 1 year

  69. Quality of life questionnaire

    Using EQ-5D-5L It evaluates five dimensions : mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression and each dimension has five levels : no problems, slight problems, moderate problems, severe problems and extreme problems. Answers are given on a 5-point scale by domain, the higher the score, the poorer the quality of life.

    Measured: At 1 year

  70. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    Using the Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) It contains 22 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale Total score ranges from 0 to 88. Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.

    Measured: At 1 year

  71. Cognitive dysfunction

    Using T-MoCA score It evaluates 8 cognitive domains. The total score ranges from 0 to 30 points. A score of 26 or higher is considered as normal.

    Measured: At 1 year

  72. Return to work status

    Subsequent return to work. Return to work status: employment status

    Measured: At 1 year

  73. Place of residence

    Measured: At 1 year

  74. Paralysis recall assessment

    Using a modified Brice questionnaire Patient responses are categorized into levels of awareness and analyzed to determine if awareness occured and its nature. The result can be : no awareness, awareness with explicit recall, awareness with dreams, emotional distress, inconclusive responses

    Measured: At 1 year

  75. Severe acidosis

    pH<7.10

    Measured: Within 8 hours after randomization

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted27 Feb 2025
  2. Study start5 Nov 2025
  3. Primary completion5 Nov 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completion5 Nov 2029 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Master Protocol, including two randomized, controlled, clinical trials with Bayesian adaptive designs * First randomization with 3 parallel arms (first ratio 1:1:1) A. Minimal distension B. Maximal recruitment C. PRT-guided ventilation strategy * Second randomization within 4 to 72 hours, if persistent PaO2/FiO2 ≤150 mmHg, with two parallel arms (ratio 1:1) 1. Prone position with systematic NMBAs 2. Prone position without systematic NMBAs
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Care provider, Investigator
Enrolment
1,200 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06849570
Sponsor's protocol ID
APHP240459
Acronym
PEPER
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
16 Dec 2024
Last updated
28 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Minimal distension, Maximal Recruitment and Prone position + early NMBAs in people with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs), run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 29 sites in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 19 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 29 sites in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Alexandre Demoule, MD PhD (+33 1 42 16 38 31 ext. +33, alexandre.demoule@aphp.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

28-day all-cause mortality (time frame: 28 days after randomization). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Aug 2026.

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