Colon Cancer Liver MetastasisPhase 4ARG-01NCT05293041
Argipressin's Influence on Blood Loss During Hepatic Resection
A Phase 4 study testing Argipressin in people with Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis and Inflammatory Response, run by Kristina Svennerholm at 1 site in Sweden.
Trial summary
Infusion of Argipressin during hepatic resection surgery may reduce blood loss. It may also reduce transfusion requirements, and mitigate the perioperative inflammatory response compared to placebo. Subjects will be randomized to infusion of Argipressin or placebo during surgery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis, Inflammatory Response, Vasopressin Causing Adverse Effects in Therapeutic Use
- What is being tested?
- Argipressin
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 248 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSweden
- Study dates
- 27 Mar 2022to 17 Feb 2025
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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
- Participant planned for hepatic resection (open or laparoscopic, regardless of indication for surgery).
- Age ≥18 years.
- ASA class I-III.
- Signed informed consent form
Who cannot join
- Participant does not understand the given information, and/ or cannot give written informed consent.
- Simultaneous operation of tumor with other localization, or surgery for superficial single hepatic tumor less than 2 cm, expected to be of short duration and with minimal blood loss.
- Terminal kidney failure (estimated preoperative GFR< 15 ml/min)
- Pregnancy or lactation.
- Known allergy to Empressin®.
- Patient included in other interventional study, interacting with the endpoints in the present study, or previous randomization in this study.
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- Hyponatremia (S-Na < 130 mmol/L)
- Patient considered ineligible for other surgical or medical reason.
- Present infection. Patients with systemic inflammatory disease, inflammatory bowel disease or preoperative corticosteroid treatment will not be eligible for the subgroups where cytokines and interleukins are investigated.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Influence of Argipressin on Blood Loss During Hepatic Resection; a Double-blinded, Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial (ARG-01)
Infusion of Argipressin during hepatic resection surgery may reduce blood loss. It may also reduce transfusion requirements, and mitigate the perioperative inflammatory response compared to placebo. Subjects will be randomized to infusion of Argipressin or placebo during surgery. Blood loss, transfusion requirements, surgical data including length of stay in hsopital, inflammatory markers and markers of renal- intestinal- and cardiac injury will be assessed. Two sub-studies has been added; one for evaluation of coagulation function, and one for assessment of pain scores and morphine consumption.
Read the detailed description
Hepatic resection is a major surgical intervention with high risk of substantial blood loss. The surgical means to reduce blood loss may impair perfusion and induce intestinal congestion. If blood flow to the liver can be influenced by pharmacological means, blood loss and transfusion requirements may be reduced. Moreover, the inflammatory system is involved in cancer development, and the anti-inflammatory properties of Argipressin may decrease the inflammatory response after hepatic surgery.
Argipressin is an endogenous substance, and part of the body's response to stress and trauma. Argipressin affects V1-receptors to produce vasoconstriction. It is also involved in inflammatory reactions and affects platelets.
Patients will be stratified according to planned type of surgery (open/laparoscopic) and planned extent of resection, and randomized to etiher infusion of Argipressin or placebo (normal saline) during surgery. In all other aspects, the participants will be treated according to the institution protocol for hepatic resection. The study drug will be started as soon as the central line is placed, and discontinued at the end of surgery. Hemodynamic data will be collected during surgery, and blood and urine-samples will be obtained during and after surgery for analysis of inflammatory markers and markers of organ injury.
- Conditions
- Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis, Inflammatory Response, Vasopressin Causing Adverse Effects in Therapeutic Use
- Being tested
- Argipressin, Placebo
- Keywords
- hepatic surgery, vasopressin, liver surgery, colon cancer metastasis, transfusion, blood loss, inflammatory response, pain, coagulation
- Medical subject headings
- Diabetes Insipidus, Hemorrhage, Pain, Thrombosis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ArgipressinDrug
Also called Arg
Infusion of Argipressin 0.8 U/ml, 0.056 ml/kg/h will be started as soon as the central line is placed, and continued until the end of surgery in the treatment arm.
PlaceboDrug
Also called control
Infusion of Normal Saline 0.056 ml/kg/h will be started as soon as the central line is placed, and continued until the end of surgery in the placebo arm.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Argipressin | Experimental | Patients will be treated with Empressin® 0.8 U/ml, 0.056 ml/kg/h during surgery. Receives: Drug: Argipressin |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Patients will receive normal saline 0.056 ml/kg/h during surgery. Receives: Drug: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Blood loss
Blood loss at the end of surgery, measured according to the investigator's instructions, by visual assessment of suction devises and gauze, and subtraction of ascites and irrigation fluids.
Measured: through surgery, an average of 8 hours
Secondary outcomes (16)
Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion (ml) at the end of surgery and at postoperative day 1 and 2 and 5 respectively.
Measured: At end of surgery and until postoperative day 2 or 5 respectively
Inflammatory markers-regular
Levels of White Blood Cell count, C Reactive Protein, Platelet count and Albumin at the end of surgery and postoperative day 1-5
Measured: Measured throughout the study until postoperative day 2 (laparoscopic resection) or postoperative day 5 (open resection)
Inflammatory markers- extended
Levels of Interleukin (IL)-1 Beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 alpha, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule, Complement (C) 3a, C5b-9 at the end of surgery and postoperative day 1 and 2.
Measured: Measured at throughout the study until postoperative day 2.
surgical data
duration of Pringles manouvre (min), duration of resection phase (min) and surgery (min)
Measured: at the end of surgery, approximately 5 hours after start of surgery
Tranexamic Acid
use of tranexamic acid (mg)
Measured: at the end of surgery, approximately 5 hours after start of surgery
CVP (anesthesiological data)
achievement of CVP (central venous pressure) goal (mmHg), as recorded on the Phillips monitor.
Measured: during surgery
Noradrenaline use (anesthesiologigal data)
Total use of noradrenaline (micrograms/minutes of surgery/ bodyweight)
Measured: during surgery
use of diuretics
Furosemide use (mg)
Measured: until postoperative day 1
urine output
urine output (ml)
Measured: until postoperative day 1
postoperative complications
Postoperative complications including death and radicality of resection at 30-day follow up.
Measured: 30 days after surgery
Length of stay
Length of stay in hospital
Measured: From admission in hospital to discharge, expected time 2-5 days but will be followed until actual discharge, which may be several months.
Plasma Creatinine (change in organ damage markers)
Change in plasma creatinine (micro-mole/L)
Measured: from baseline (before surgery) to postoperative day 2 and 5 respectively.
Urine samples (change in organ damage markers)
Change in urine creatinine and urine [TIMP-2] x [IGFBP-7] (quota, no unit)
Measured: from baseline to end of surgery, approximately 5 hours
Cardiac marker (change in organ damage markers)
Change in hs- TNI (ng/L)
Measured: from baseline to postoperative day 1
Lactate (change in organ damage markers)
change in plasma lactate
Measured: from baseline to postoperative day 1
I-FABP (change in organ damage markers)
Change in I-FABP (ng/L)
Measured: from baseline to postoperative day 1
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Mar 2022
- Study start27 Mar 2022
- Primary completion6 Dec 2024
- Study completion17 Feb 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Colon Cancer Liver MetastasisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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 4
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Singel center double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 248 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kristina Svennerholm
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Kristina Svennerholm, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
- Investigators
- kristina svennerholm, MD PhD, Principal investigator, Senior Consultant Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05293041
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ARG-01
- Acronym
- ARG-01
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 15 Nov 2021
- Last updated
- 6 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Metadata will be shared by the Swedish National Data Service (SND, https://snd.gu.se/en) and selected psedonymised data will be made available on reasonable request, after proper confidentiality and ethics assessment. The extent of data made available will be decided after study closure, and also the time span for availability.
Publications
Wisen E, Pivodic A, Skagervik A, Rizell M, Bown LS, Ricksten SE, Svennerholm K. Argipressin for prevention of blood loss in hepatic resection: a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Br J Anaesth. 2026 Apr;136(4):1145-1153. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2025.09.021. Epub 2025 Oct 30.
PubMed 41173775Wisen E, Kvarnstrom A, Sand-Bown L, Rizell M, Pivodic A, Ricksten SE, Svennerholm K. Argipressin for prevention of blood loss during liver resection: a study protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial (ARG-01). BMJ Open. 2023 Aug 24;13(8):e073270. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073270.
PubMed 37620260
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Influence of Argipressin on Blood Loss During Hepatic Resection; a Double-blinded, Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial (ARG-01)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05293041
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ARG-01 / ARG-01
- Conditions
- Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis, Inflammatory Response, Vasopressin Causing Adverse Effects in Therapeutic Use
- Keywords
- hepatic surgery, vasopressin, liver surgery, colon cancer metastasis, transfusion, blood loss, inflammatory response, pain
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 248 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Kristina SvennerholmUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 27 Mar 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 6 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Feb 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Mar 2022 (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.
Infusion of Argipressin during hepatic resection surgery may reduce blood loss. It may also reduce transfusion requirements, and mitigate the perioperative inflammatory response compared to placebo. Subjects will be randomized to infusion of Argipressin or placebo during surgery. Blood loss, transfusion requirements, surgical data including length of stay in hsopital, inflammatory markers and markers of renal- intestinal- and cardiac injury will be assessed. Two sub-studies has been added; one for evaluation of coagulation function, and one for assessment of pain scores and morphine consumption.
Detailed description
Hepatic resection is a major surgical intervention with high risk of substantial blood loss. The surgical means to reduce blood loss may impair perfusion and induce intestinal congestion. If blood flow to the liver can be influenced by pharmacological means, blood loss and transfusion requirements may be reduced. Moreover, the inflammatory system is involved in cancer development, and the anti-inflammatory properties of Argipressin may decrease the inflammatory response after hepatic surgery.
Argipressin is an endogenous substance, and part of the body's response to stress and trauma. Argipressin affects V1-receptors to produce vasoconstriction. It is also involved in inflammatory reactions and affects platelets.
Patients will be stratified according to planned type of surgery (open/laparoscopic) and planned extent of resection, and randomized to etiher infusion of Argipressin or placebo (normal saline) during surgery. In all other aspects, the participants will be treated according to the institution protocol for hepatic resection. The study drug will be started as soon as the central line is placed, and discontinued at the end of surgery. Hemodynamic data will be collected during surgery, and blood and urine-samples will be obtained during and after surgery for analysis of inflammatory markers and markers of organ injury.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Singel center double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Argipressin | Experimental | Drug: ArgipressinPatients will be treated with Empressin® 0.8 U/ml, 0.056 ml/kg/h during surgery. |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Drug: PlaceboPatients will receive normal saline 0.056 ml/kg/h during surgery. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Participant planned for hepatic resection (open or laparoscopic, regardless of indication for surgery).
- Age ≥18 years.
- ASA class I-III.
- Signed informed consent form
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Participant does not understand the given information, and/ or cannot give written informed consent.
- Simultaneous operation of tumor with other localization, or surgery for superficial single hepatic tumor less than 2 cm, expected to be of short duration and with minimal blood loss.
- Terminal kidney failure (estimated preoperative GFR< 15 ml/min)
- Pregnancy or lactation.
- Known allergy to Empressin®.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| ArgipressinAlso: ArgInfusion of Argipressin 0.8 U/ml, 0.056 ml/kg/h will be started as soon as the central line is placed, and continued until the end of surgery in the treatment arm. | Drug | Argipressin |
| PlaceboAlso: controlInfusion of Normal Saline 0.056 ml/kg/h will be started as soon as the central line is placed, and continued until the end of surgery in the placebo arm. | Drug | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Blood loss
Time frame: through surgery, an average of 8 hours
Blood loss at the end of surgery, measured according to the investigator's instructions, by visual assessment of suction devises and gauze, and subtraction of ascites and irrigation fluids.
16 secondary outcomes
Blood transfusion
Time frame: At end of surgery and until postoperative day 2 or 5 respectively
Inflammatory markers-regular
Time frame: Measured throughout the study until postoperative day 2 (laparoscopic resection) or postoperative day 5 (open resection)
Inflammatory markers- extended
Time frame: Measured at throughout the study until postoperative day 2.
surgical data
Time frame: at the end of surgery, approximately 5 hours after start of surgery
Tranexamic Acid
Time frame: at the end of surgery, approximately 5 hours after start of surgery
CVP (anesthesiological data)
Time frame: during surgery
Noradrenaline use (anesthesiologigal data)
Time frame: during surgery
use of diuretics
Time frame: until postoperative day 1
urine output
Time frame: until postoperative day 1
postoperative complications
Time frame: 30 days after surgery
Length of stay
Time frame: From admission in hospital to discharge, expected time 2-5 days but will be followed until actual discharge, which may be several months.
Plasma Creatinine (change in organ damage markers)
Time frame: from baseline (before surgery) to postoperative day 2 and 5 respectively.
Urine samples (change in organ damage markers)
Time frame: from baseline to end of surgery, approximately 5 hours
Cardiac marker (change in organ damage markers)
Time frame: from baseline to postoperative day 1
Lactate (change in organ damage markers)
Time frame: from baseline to postoperative day 1
I-FABP (change in organ damage markers)
Time frame: from baseline to postoperative day 1
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Mar 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41173775Wisen E, Pivodic A, Skagervik A, Rizell M, Bown LS, Ricksten SE, Svennerholm K. Argipressin for prevention of blood loss in hepatic resection: a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Br J Anaesth. 2026 Apr;136(4):1145-1153. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2025.09.021. Epub 2025 Oct 30.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 37620260Wisen E, Kvarnstrom A, Sand-Bown L, Rizell M, Pivodic A, Ricksten SE, Svennerholm K. Argipressin for prevention of blood loss during liver resection: a study protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial (ARG-01). BMJ Open. 2023 Aug 24;13(8):e073270. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073270.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Metadata will be shared by the Swedish National Data Service (SND, https://snd.gu.se/en) and selected psedonymised data will be made available on reasonable request, after proper confidentiality and ethics assessment. The extent of data made available will be decided after study closure, and also the time span for availability.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
kristina svennerholm, MD PhD principal investigator
Senior Consultant Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Argipressin in people with Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis and Inflammatory Response, run by Kristina Svennerholm at 1 site in Sweden.
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 4 inclusion and 9 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Sweden. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Blood loss (time frame: through surgery, an average of 8 hours). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05293041, which also lists 2 linked publications.
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 6 Mar 2025.