Acetaminophen for the Reduction of Oxidative Injury in Severe Sepsis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2013-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cell-free hemoglobin can be measured in the plasma of patients with sickle cell anemia,
hemodialysis, after red blood cell transfusion, and in patients with sepsis. Cell-free
hemoglobin in these patient population has been associated with poor outcomes, including an
association with an increased risk of death. Acetaminophen may have a protective effect in
these patient populations by inhibiting hemoprotein-mediated lipid peroxidation. The purpose
of the present trial is to study the effect of acetaminophen on lipid peroxidation in adults
with severe sepsis and detectable cell-free hemoglobin.
The primary hypothesis is that systemic markers of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation,
as measured by F2-isoprostanes, will be significantly lower in patients with severe sepsis
and detectable cell-free hemoglobin who receive acetaminophen compared to placebo. The
secondary hypothesis is that patients with severe sepsis and detectable cell-free hemoglobin
treated with acetaminophen will have better clinical outcomes, including decreased incidence
of acute kidney injury and lower rates of hospital mortality, compared to those who receive
placebo.