Norepinephrine and Vasopressin for Rescue Versus Early Vasopressin for Vasopressor Dependent Sepsis

The norepinephrine and vasopressin for rescue versus early vasopressin for vasopressor dependent sepsis (NoVa) is a phase 3, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial comparing an early vasopressin initiation strategy versus norepinephrine plus vasopressin initiation only as a rescue strategy for hemodynamic management of critically ill patients with vasopressor dependent sepsis.

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated body response to infection. Its most severe form, septic shock, occurs when underlying circulatory and cellular metabolic abnormalities are pronounced, indicating greater severity and higher mortality. Vasopressor use is a cornerstone aspect in the treatment of critically ill patients with sepsis-associated hemodynamic dysfunction, with norepinephrine, a catecholamine, being the vasopressor of choice. Vasopressin is an endogenous peptide hormone with potential advantages over norepinephrine in a catecholamine-sparing strategy for treating sepsis-associated hemodynamic dysfunction. This is a phase 3, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Adult patients with sepsis-associated hemodynamic dysfunction in the ICU may be eligible to participate. We aim to enroll 2,800 patients.