Status: Published
What was this study about?
Previous research has shown that treatment designed to improve the amount of oxygen delivered to the body’s tissues may reduce the number of complications patients develop after major surgery. This treatment involves using intravenous fluids and a drug called dopexamine which is known to improve heart function.
The aim of the Optimise study was to find out whether using a treatment plan to deliver intravenous fluid and dopexamine is better than usual care.
The study took place in 17 NHS hospitals throughout the UK. It included 734 patients – 367 patients received the trial treatment and 367 patients received usual care treatment. The study started in June 2010 and finished recruitment in November 2012.
What did the study find?
The trial treatment did not significantly reduce the number of complications or deaths in the Optimise study. However, combining the results of the Optimise study with previous similar studies suggests that the treatment does reduce complications and may reduce deaths following surgery.
Who led the study?
Dr Rupert Pearse, The Royal London Hospital
This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) – Coordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development (Project: NIHRCS/01/2008/017). This study was sponsored by Queen Mary, University of London