CRICS-TRIGGERSEP is a clinical research network in intensive care and resuscitation with a longstanding focus on sepsis. Designated a network of excellence by F-CRIN since 2016, it now brings together 50 centers—45 in France and 5 in Belgium—with the goal of structuring clinical research, facilitating collaboration among centers, and improving the care of patients admitted to intensive care units.
CRICS-TRIGGERSEP, the clinical research network specializing in intensive care and resuscitation
CRICS-TRIGGERSEP, which stands for Clinical Research in Intensive Care and Sepsis – TRIal Group for Global Evaluation and Research in SEPsis, is a clinical research network initially established to address sepsis, which has now expanded to include intensive care and resuscitation in general. Its goal is to organize clinical research within intensive care and resuscitation units, promote collaboration among research centers, and identify specific treatments, particularly for patients with sepsis. The network has been designated a “network of excellence” by F-CRIN since 2016.
Organization
Since 2021, CRICS-TRIGGERSEP has been coordinated by Prof. Ferhat Meziani and Prof. Stephan Ehrmann, joined in 2025 by Florian Bernard, who is in charge of the network’s operational management.
CRICS-TRIGGERSEP currently comprises 50 centers—45 in France and 5 in Belgium—bringing together more than 400 medical investigators, 60 paramedical investigators, and 150 staff members dedicated to clinical research management. Five centers are also authorized to conduct Phase I trials.
On average, 180 clinical studies are underway in the network, and approximately 5,000 patient enrollments are completed annually; a figure that reached 5,516 patient enrollments in 2025.
Cartographie du réseau CRICS-TRIGGERSEP
The network is also organized around several complementary working groups.
- The Clinical Investigation and Support group oversees the network’s composition, coordinates research activities, and provides the necessary support for clinical investigations.
- The Scientific Advisory Board facilitates interactions between experienced investigators, methodologists, biostatisticians, and project leaders to encourage the development of new clinical trials.
- A group dedicated to humanities and social sciences in intensive care helps ensure that the experiences and perceptions of patients, families, and healthcare providers are taken into account.
- Finally, the Clinical Investigation in Pediatrics group ensures that the pediatric dimension is integrated into the network’s projects.
Several events are also organized by the network throughout the year:
- The Annual Seminar, a forum open to all members of the member centers to discuss the latest research developments within the network.
- The Scientific Retreats bring together project leaders and experts to develop high-quality clinical trials.
- The Research Staff Meetings bring together the TECs, ARCs, and IRCs from member centers for dedicated sessions focused on sharing best practices, tools, and experiences that significantly improve day-to-day research management.
Scientific Expertise
The network is active in various fields of expertise and offers a range of services to investigators and sponsors, whether from academia or industry.
Research Expertise in Intensive Care and Resuscitation
- Infectious diseases
- Organization and practices in intensive care,
- Respiratory field
- Cardiovascular/Hemodynamic.
The network is also active in:
- the topics of metabolic and renal disorders and neurovascular disorders
- sepsis
- septic shock
- antibiotic therapy
- ventilation/oxygen therapy
- nosocomial infections
- biomarkers
- nutrition
- paramedical practices
- approaches in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Clinical Research Expertise
- Conducting and monitoring single- and multi-center studies
- Center Qualification
- Consolidation of activity data
- Identification of relevant centers based on research themes and local dynamics.
The network also develops skills useful for setting up and supporting projects:
- Monitoring of inclusions
- Structuring of center data
- Alignment with requirements for quality, regulatory compliance, and good clinical practices.
Completed Projects and Notable Results
Each year, the network contributes to concrete advances in clinical research, with several studies completed. Here are the latest notable publications:
A multicenter randomized trial comparing a noninvasive blood pressure monitoring strategy with early arterial catheter placement in intensive care patients in shock.
A retrospective multicenter study showing that temporarily suspending immunosuppressants may reduce the risk of infections acquired in the ICU, although uncertainty remains regarding 90-day mortality.
A study showing that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is common in septic shock, though it was not associated with mortality in this study.
A review providing practical guidelines for identifying and managing onco-hematology patients requiring urgent chemotherapy in the intensive care unit.
Analysis reinforcing the evidence supporting the use of corticosteroids in septic shock associated with community-acquired pneumonia.
A large-scale clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, illustrating the network’s involvement in high-impact research in critical care.
Members of the network have also contributed to several major milestones in the field of sepsis and critical care over the past few years:
- 2016 – Contribution to the Sepsis-3 definitions.
- 2021 – Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines 2021.
- 2022 – Participation in the French Sepsis Symposium.
- 2023 – Participation in the International Sepsis Forum.
- 2026 – Contribution to the new Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines for adults and children.
Contact the network
To learn more about the network, visit the website: https://www.crics-triggersep.org/
You can also contact the network by sending an email to crics.triggersep@gmail.com
