Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation to Reduce Blood Loss During Dialysis AV Graft Placement in Adults

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation tAN therapy can reduce the amount of blood lost during dialysis arteriovenous AV graft placement procedures. The study is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial conducted at a single center, focusing on adults undergoing dialysis port placement using synthetic grafts. The goal is to better understand the potential impact of tAN therapy on surgical blood loss in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups an active tAN therapy group receiving 30 minutes of stimulation immediately before their dialysis port placement, or a sham group receiving 30 minutes of a non-active therapy session. Both groups will continue to receive standard care during the procedure. The active or sham therapy involves wearing an earpiece for the 30-minute session, which is removed before surgery begins. During the trial, researchers will measure blood loss and blood markers before and during the procedure to assess the therapys effects. Additional assessments include surgery duration and time to achieve hemostasis. Participants will be monitored closely throughout the procedure, with data collected to evaluate the average total blood loss. The study will run until November 2026, with participant involvement centered around the dialysis port placement visit and the immediate surgical period.

Delivering Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation to Reduce Blood Loss During Dialysis AV Graft Placement Procedures