Receive high-flow oxygen therapy during a sickle cell pain crisis

Receive high-flow oxygen therapy during a sickle cell pain crisis | stella

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether high-flow oxygen therapy — delivered through a special nasal cannula at different oxygen levels — can help treat and prevent complications from vaso-occlusive pain crises in adults with sickle cell disease. Vaso-occlusive crises are episodes of severe pain caused by sickle cells blocking blood vessels. Researchers want to know if the medication can stop the crisis from getting worse and prevent a serious complication called acute chest syndrome.

Currently, doctors treat sickle cell pain crises mainly by managing symptoms with pain medication and regular oxygen, but there is no proven way to stop the crisis itself or prevent it from developing into acute chest syndrome, which is the leading cause of death in adults with sickle cell disease. This trial is testing whether a newer, more intensive oxygen therapy approach might work better.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older
you have been diagnosed with major sickle cell disease (SS, SC, Sβ0, or Sβ+ type)
you are currently experiencing a vaso-occlusive pain crisis requiring opioid pain medication
you have intermediate-to-high risk for developing acute chest syndrome based on blood counts and other medical factors
you are enrolled in French social security or health insurance

You likely don't qualify if…

you already have acute chest syndrome at the time of enrollment
your current pain crisis has required strong pain medication for longer than 72 hours
you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding
you have a history of stroke, brain blood vessel problems, or heart disease
you are currently enrolled in another experimental drug study

What participation looks like

If you join this trial during a pain crisis, you will be randomly assigned to receive one of four types of oxygen therapy through a nasal cannula: standard low-flow oxygen, or high-flow oxygen at different oxygen levels. You will receive your assigned treatment in the hospital from admission until you are discharged or until a complication develops. The research team will monitor your oxygen levels, symptoms, and overall condition throughout your hospital stay to see which approach works best and is safest.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 12, 2026 · Not medical advice

Testing High-Flow Oxygen for Sickle Cell Pain Crises

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)