Ascorbic Acid, Corticosteroids, and Thiamine in Sepsis (ACTS) Trial

Ascorbic Ccid, Hydrocortisone, and Thiamine in Sepsis and Septic Shock - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

In this study, we aim to determine whether the combination of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Thiamine (Vitamin B1), and Corticosteroids improves the trajectory of organ failure and reduces mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock as compared to placebo.

Sepsis and Septic Shock are common and highly morbid clinical conditions without any specific therapy aside from antibiotics. A recent quasi-experimental study (Marik et. al., PMID 27940189) demonstrated a remarkable benefit when the combination of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Corticosteroids, and Thiamine (Vitamin B1) were given to patients with sepsis. In particular, patients who received this combination of medications required a shorter amount of time on vasopressors, suffered less organ failure, and had improved mortality. Vitamin C has long been suggested for treatment of patients with severe infection as it exerts significant anti-oxidant effects and reduces endothelial permeability. Corticosteroids, a mainstay of therapy for refractory shock in sepsis, have also been shown to enhance the beneficial cellular effects of vitamin C. Finally, thiamine has been shown to be an effective mitochondrial resuscitator in sepsis, especially for the ~30% of septic shock patients who present with thiamine deficiency (Donnino et. al, PMID 26771781). In this study, we aim to reproduce the findings of Marik et. al. using a more rigorous study design (i.e. a blinded, randomized clinical trial) and focus on the important clinical outcomes of organ failure and death.

The combination of vitamin C, vitamin B1, hydrocortisone : Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 1.5g every 6 hours x 4-days Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 100mg every 6 hours x 4-days Hydrocortisone 50mg every 6 hours x 4-days

Vitamin C (1.5g) plus vitamin B1 (100mg) will be diluted in 100ml 0.9% NACL(normal saline) and administered IV every 6 hours for 4 days or until participant is discharged from the ICU. Hydrocortisone 50mg/ml will be administered via IV push over 1-2 minutes every 6hours for 4 days or until the patient is discharged from the ICU.

Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) Score at Baseline and 72 Hours. The SOFA score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 24, with higher scores meaning worse outcomes.

Development of renal failure as defined by a Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes [KDIGO] stage 3 or higher. There are 3 stages in the KDIGO scale with stage 3 being the worst (corresponds to renal failure). Stage 1- serum creatinine 1.5 to 1.9 times baseline OR an increase in serum creatinine ≥ 0.3 mg/dL OR urine output < 0.5ml/kg/hour for 6-12 hours. Stage 2- serum creatinine 2.0-2.9 times baseline OR urine output <0.5mg/kg/hour for ≥ 12 hours Stage 3- serum creatinine 3.0 times baseline (or serum creatinine of more than or equal to 4.0 mg/dl with an acute increase of at least 0.5 mg/dl) (OR) Urine output less than 0.3 ml/kg/hour for 24 hours or anuria for 12 hours or new renal replacement therapy

Describes if patient has delirium as defined by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)-ICU. The CAM-ICU method requires that the patient have 3 features to qualify for delirium: Acute Onset of Changes or Fluctuations in the Course of Mental Status (AND ) Inattention (AND) Disorganized thinking (OR) Altered Level of Consciousness

Inclusion Criteria: Adult patient (age ≥ 18 years) Suspected (cultures drawn and antibiotic given) or confirmed (via culture results) infection Receiving vasopressor (norepinephrine, phenylephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, angiotensin II or vasopressin) Exclusion Criteria: Member of a protected population (pregnant, prisoner) Known kidney stones within the past 1 year (except for asymptomatic, incidentally noted stones on imaging) End stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis Known Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency Known Hemachromatosis Comfort Measures Only status Anticipated death within 24-hours despite maximal therapy (as determined by the enrolling physician) Receiving supplemental thiamine in a dose greater than that contained in a multivitamin Clinical indication for steroids (e.g. chronic use) as determined by the clinical team providing this drug Clinical indication for thiamine as determined by the clinical team providing this drug Clinical indication for ascorbic acid as determined by the clinical team providing this drug Known allergy to vitamin C, hydrocortisone, or thiamine

Marik PE, Khangoora V, Rivera R, Hooper MH, Catravas J. Hydrocortisone, Vitamin C, and Thiamine for the Treatment of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Retrospective Before-After Study. Chest. 2017 Jun;151(6):1229-1238. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2016.11.036. Epub 2016 Dec 6.

Moskowitz A, Andersen LW, Cocchi MN, Karlsson M, Patel PV, Donnino MW. Thiamine as a Renal Protective Agent in Septic Shock. A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Trial. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2017 May;14(5):737-741. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201608-656BC.

Donnino MW, Andersen LW, Chase M, Berg KM, Tidswell M, Giberson T, Wolfe R, Moskowitz A, Smithline H, Ngo L, Cocchi MN; Center for Resuscitation Science Research Group. Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Thiamine as a Metabolic Resuscitator in Septic Shock: A Pilot Study. Crit Care Med. 2016 Feb;44(2):360-7. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000001572.

Grossestreuer AV, Moskowitz A, Andersen LW, Holmberg MJ, Konacki V, Berg KM, Chase M, Cocchi MN, Donnino MW. Effect of Ascorbic Acid, Corticosteroids, and Thiamine on Health-Related Quality of Life in Sepsis. Crit Care Explor. 2020 Nov 23;2(12):e0270. doi: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000270. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Moskowitz A, Huang DT, Hou PC, Gong J, Doshi PB, Grossestreuer AV, Andersen LW, Ngo L, Sherwin RL, Berg KM, Chase M, Cocchi MN, McCannon JB, Hershey M, Hilewitz A, Korotun M, Becker LB, Otero RM, Uduman J, Sen A, Donnino MW; ACTS Clinical Trial Investigators. Effect of Ascorbic Acid, Corticosteroids, and Thiamine on Organ Injury in Septic Shock: The ACTS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2020 Aug 18;324(7):642-650. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.11946.

Moskowitz A, Yankama T, Andersen LW, Huang DT, Donnino MW, Grossestreuer AV; ACTS Clinical Trial Investigators. Ascorbic Acid, Corticosteroids and Thiamine in Sepsis (ACTS) protocol and statistical analysis plan: a prospective, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMJ Open. 2019 Dec 17;9(12):e034406. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034406.