The ARDS, Pneumonia, and Sepsis (APS) Consortium is funded through a collaboration between the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and NIGMS. This large observational study will collect longitudinal data and biospecimens from approximately 4,000 adults hospitalized with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, or sepsis at over 20 hospitals in the United States. The scientific goal is to conduct analyses to gain greater understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying APS and, in particular, to link to well-defined clinical phenotypes.

The APS Consortium started enrollment in July 2024 and is expected to be completed by April 2028. The Consortium maintains a public
website to update the scientific community about the progress and available resources. The website currently contains the following information:

1. Timetable of study events
2. Types of samples and times they will be collected
3. Study protocols and the informed consent documents

Of note, APS Study Protocol A describes all procedures for participants who have completed informed consent; Study Protocol B describes a set of minimal risk procedures for participants for whom informed consent cannot be obtained before study entry. Participants on Protocol B will be approached for consent and moved to Protocol A whenever possible. 

Outside investigators may apply to use Consortium data and biospecimens for ancillary studies through funding opportunities including but not limited to NOT-HL-21-030 and NOT-GM-24-018. Proposed studies should address new research questions that are beyond those described in the funded APS Consortium studies. The seven proposed specific aims of the APS Consortium-wide study can be found in the appendices section of Protocol A. You can also review the abstracts of six funded APS center-specific projects in NIH RePORTER.

The APS observational study is now registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT06521502).

Please contact Dr. Xiaoli Zhao with any questions.