Abstract
Methods: This open-label, pragmatic, randomized clinical trial in Australia, New Zealand, and Nepal included noncritically ill hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Participants were randomly assigned to usual care or usual care plus nafamostat. The primary end point was death (any cause) or receipt of new invasive or noninvasive ventilation or vasopressor support within 28 days after randomization. Analysis was with a Bayesian logistic model in which an adjusted odds ratio <1.0 indicates improved outcomes with nafamostat. Enrollment was closed due to falling numbers of eligible patients.
Results: We screened 647 patients in 21 hospitals (15 in Australia, 4 in New Zealand, and 2 in Nepal) and enrolled 160 participants from May 2021 to August 2022. In the intention-to-treat population, the primary end point occurred in 8 (11%) of 73 patients with usual care and 4 (5%) of 82 with nafamostat. The median adjusted odds ratio for the primary end point for nafamostat was 0.40 (95% credible interval, 0.12 to 1.34) with a posterior probability of effectiveness (adjusted odds ratio <1.0) of 93%. For usual care compared with nafamostat, hyperkalemia occurred in 1 (1%) of 67 and 7 (9%) of 78 participants, respectively, and clinically relevant bleeding occurred in 1 (1%) of 73 and 7 (8%) of 82 participants.
Conclusions: Among hospitalized patients with Covid-19, there was a 93% posterior probability that nafamostat reduced the odds of death or organ support. Prespecified stopping criteria were not met, precluding definitive conclusions. Hyperkalemia and bleeding were more common with nafamostat.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | NEJM Evidence |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| Early online date | 18 Oct 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Oct 2023 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © 2023 Massachusetts Medical Society.Funding
ASCOT is supported by the Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious Disease Emergencies, the BHP Foundation, Health Research Council (HRC) of New Zealand (HRC 20/1068), Hospital Research Foundation, the Macquarie Group Foundation, the Minderoo Foundation, the Pratt Foundation, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation, the Common Good (the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation), Wesley Medical Research, Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp., NSW Office for Health and Medical Research, Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF2002132 and MRF9200005), and the Russell and Womersley Foundation.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious Disease Emergencies | |
| BHP Foundation | |
| Health Research Council of New Zealand | HRC 20/1068 |
| Hospital Research Foundation | |
| Macquarie Group Foundation | |
| Minderoo Foundation | |
| Pratt Foundation | |
| Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation | |
| The Common Good | |
| Wesley Medical Research | |
| Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical | |
| NSW Health and Medical Research | |
| Australian Government | MRFF2002132, MRF9200005 |
| Russell and Womersley Foundation |