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.
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
- Conditions the study is for
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
- 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.
29 sites in 1 country
France29 sites, 29 recruiting
- 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
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 group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| First randomization : Arm A : Routine care Minimal distention | Active comparator | Decision of the ventilation strategy according to the routine care Receives: Other: Minimal distension |
| First randomization : Arm B Routine care maximal recruitment | Active comparator | Decision 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 result | Experimental | Maximal 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 rescue | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Prone position + rescue NMBAs |
| Second randomization : early NMBAs used as soon as possible | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Prone position + early NMBAs |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
28-day all-cause mortality
Measured: 28 days after randomization
Secondary outcomes (75)
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
PaO2/FiO2
Measured: 24 hours after randomization
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
PaO2/FiO2
Measured: 48 hours after randomization
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
PaO2/FiO2
Measured: 72 hours after randomization
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
PaO2/FiO2
Measured: 7 days after randomization
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
PaO2/FiO2
Measured: 14 days after randomization
Oxygen index
Measured: 24 hours after randomization
Oxygen index
Measured: 48 hours after randomization
Oxygen index
Measured: 72 hours after randomization
Oxygen index
Measured: 7 days after randomization
Oxygen index
Measured: 14 days after randomization
Tidal volume
Amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled during a normal, relaxed breath
Measured: 24 hours after randomization
Tidal volume
Amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled during a normal, relaxed breath
Measured: 48 hours after randomization
Tidal Volume
Amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled during a normal, relaxed breath
Measured: 72 hours after randomization
Tidal Volume
Measured: 7 days after randomization
Tidal Volume
Measured: 14 days after randomization
Respiratory Rate
Measured: 24 hours after randomization
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
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
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
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
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
All-cause mortality
Measured: 90 days after inclusion
All-cause mortality
Measured: 1 year after inclusion
All-cause Intensive care unit mortality
Measured: 90 days after inclusion
All-cause Intensive care unit mortality
Measured: 1 year after inclusion
All-cause hospital mortality
Measured: 90 days after inclusion
All-cause hospital mortality
Measured: 1 year after inclusion
Duration of mechanical ventilation
Measured: Up to 1 year
Ventilator Free Days
Measured: 28 days after inclusion
Intensive Care Unit length of stay
Measured: Up to 1 year
Hospital length of stay
Measured: Up to 1 year
ICU free-days
Measured: 28 days after inclusion
Respiratory Rate
Measured: 48 hours after randomization
Respiratory Rate
Measured: 72 hours after randomization
Respiratory Rate
Measured: 7 days after randomization
Respiratory Rate
Measured: 14 days after randomization
Total Postitive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Measured: 24 hours after randomization
Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Measured: 48 hours after randomization
Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Measured: 72 hours after randomization
Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Measured: 7 days after randomization
Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Measured: 14 days after randomization
Peak Pressure
Measured: 24 hours after randomization
Peak Pressure
Measured: 48 hours after randomization
Peak Pressure
Measured: 72 hours after randomization
Peak Pressure
Measured: 7 days after randomization
Peak Pressure
Measured: 14 days after randomization
Plateau Pressure
Measured: 24 hours after randomization
Plateau Pressure
Measured: 48 hours after randomization
Plateau Pressure
Measured: 7 days after randomization
Plateau Pressure
Measured: 14 days after randomization
compliance of the respiratory system
Measured: 24 hours after randomization
compliance of the respiratory system
Measured: 48 hours after randomization
compliance of the respiratory system
Measured: 72 hours after randomization
compliance of the respiratory system
Measured: 7 days after randomization
compliance of the respiratory system
Measured: 14 days after randomization
Hospital-free-days
Measured: 28 days after inclusion
Hospital-free-days
Measured: 90 days after inclusion
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
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
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
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
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
Muscle relaxants-free days
Between inclusion and day 7
Measured: Up to day 7
Number of days alive and without continuous IV administration of sedatives/analgesics
Measured: At day 7
Number of days alive and without continuous IV administration of sedatives/analgesics
Measured: At day 28
Presence of delirium (CAM-ICU)
Measured: At day 14
Presence of delirium (CAM-ICU)
At ICU discharge
Measured: Up to 1 year
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
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
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
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
Return to work status
Subsequent return to work. Return to work status: employment status
Measured: At 1 year
Place of residence
Measured: At 1 year
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
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.
- First posted27 Feb 2025
- Study start5 Nov 2025
- Primary completion5 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion5 Nov 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de ParisThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
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
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- 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
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06849570
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PEPER / APHP240459
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 1,200 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de ParisUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 5 Nov 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (care provider, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 5
- 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
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| First randomization : Arm A : Routine care Minimal distention | Active comparator | Other: Minimal distensionDecision of the ventilation strategy according to the routine care |
| First randomization : Arm B Routine care maximal recruitment | Active comparator | Other: Maximal RecruitmentDecision of the ventilation strategy according to the routine care |
| First randomization: Arm C : Decision of th ventilation strategy according to the PRT result | Experimental | Other: Minimal distension, Other: Maximal RecruitmentMaximal recruitment strategy in patients with positive PEEP responsiveness test (PRT) or minimal distension strategy in patients with negative PRT. |
| Second randomization : NMBAs used as a rescue | Active comparator | Other: Prone position + rescue NMBAs |
| Second randomization : early NMBAs used as soon as possible | Experimental | Other: Prone position + early NMBAs |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- 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
- Informed consent signed:
- Health insurance coverage
Key exclusion criteria (19 listed)
- 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)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal distensionPatients receive tidal volume (VT) of 6 mL/kg and conservative positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) setting. | Other | First randomization : Arm A : Routine care Minimal distention, First randomization: Arm C : Decision of th ventilation strategy according to the PRT result |
| Maximal RecruitmentPatients receive tidal volume adjusted to limit plateau pressure (∆P) to 14 cmH2O and the highest possible PEEP while maintaining plateau pressure (PPLAT) ≤ 27 cmH2O. | Other | First randomization : Arm B Routine care maximal recruitment, First randomization: Arm C : Decision of th ventilation strategy according to the PRT result |
| Prone position + early NMBAsNMBAs given as soon as possible after randomization | Other | Second randomization : early NMBAs used as soon as possible |
| Prone position + rescue NMBAsNMBAs given only as a rescue | Other | Second randomization : NMBAs used as a rescue |
Primary outcome
28-day all-cause mortality
Time frame: 28 days after randomization
75 secondary outcomes
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
Time frame: 24 hours after randomization
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
Time frame: 48 hours after randomization
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
Time frame: 72 hours after randomization
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
Time frame: 7 days after randomization
Ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction
Time frame: 14 days after randomization
Oxygen index
Time frame: 24 hours after randomization
Oxygen index
Time frame: 48 hours after randomization
Oxygen index
Time frame: 72 hours after randomization
Oxygen index
Time frame: 7 days after randomization
Oxygen index
Time frame: 14 days after randomization
Tidal volume
Time frame: 24 hours after randomization
Tidal volume
Time frame: 48 hours after randomization
Tidal Volume
Time frame: 72 hours after randomization
Tidal Volume
Time frame: 7 days after randomization
Tidal Volume
Time frame: 14 days after randomization
Respiratory Rate
Time frame: 24 hours after randomization
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score
Time frame: 24 hours after randomization
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score
Time frame: 48 hours after randomization
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score
Time frame: 72 hours after randomization
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score
Time frame: 7 days after randomization
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score
Time frame: 14 days after randomization
All-cause mortality
Time frame: 90 days after inclusion
All-cause mortality
Time frame: 1 year after inclusion
All-cause Intensive care unit mortality
Time frame: 90 days after inclusion
All-cause Intensive care unit mortality
Time frame: 1 year after inclusion
All-cause hospital mortality
Time frame: 90 days after inclusion
All-cause hospital mortality
Time frame: 1 year after inclusion
Duration of mechanical ventilation
Time frame: Up to 1 year
Ventilator Free Days
Time frame: 28 days after inclusion
Intensive Care Unit length of stay
Time frame: Up to 1 year
Hospital length of stay
Time frame: Up to 1 year
ICU free-days
Time frame: 28 days after inclusion
Respiratory Rate
Time frame: 48 hours after randomization
Respiratory Rate
Time frame: 72 hours after randomization
Respiratory Rate
Time frame: 7 days after randomization
Respiratory Rate
Time frame: 14 days after randomization
Total Postitive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Time frame: 24 hours after randomization
Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Time frame: 48 hours after randomization
Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Time frame: 72 hours after randomization
Total Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Time frame: 7 days after randomization
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
29 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
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.