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Deputy Study Director

Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. habil. Jan Kloka

Dr. Jan Kloka is an esteemed anaesthesiologist and clinical scientist at Frankfurt University Hospital. He completed his medical studies at the University of Würzburg in Bavaria. Dr. Kloka's research focuses on intensive care medicine, big-data analyses, and digital innovations in the healthcare sector. His work integrates advanced data analytics to enhance patient outcomes and drive forward the digital transformation of medical practices. Dr. Kloka's contributions are pivotal in the intersection of technology and healthcare, aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical care.

7 Years
kloka@med.uni-frankfurt.de

  • August 2017

    State Examination in Human Medicine

    Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg

  • October 2020

    Administrative and scientific supervision at ENVISION

    Horizon 2020 EU-funded project (6M €)

  • January 2021

    Founder & leader of the Data Science Group Frankfurt

    Interdisciplinary scientific working group at the Goethe University Frankfurt

  • February 2021

    WAKWiN

    Admission to the scientific working group for young scientists of the german society of anesthesiology and intensive care medicine (DGAI)

  • May 2021

    Administrative and scientific supervision at COVend

    Horizon Health 2021 EU-funded project (10 M €)

  • August 2026

    Development and Deputy Study Director at LOS

    Blood Donor & Recipient Long-Term Outcome Study

Recent Publications

Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2026.

Epidural Analgesia in Labor: A Nationwide Evaluation of Utilization in Germany.

Lumbar epidural anesthesia (LEA) is considered the gold standard for the treatment of pain during vaginal delivery. Despite procedural advances and high maternal satisfaction in surveys, the extent of LEA utilization in Germany and its trend over time remain unclear.

Prehosp Emerg Care. 2026.

Landscape of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Germany. A Nationwide Retrospective Study.

Sudden cardiac death is a leading cause of death globally. Recent guidelines recommend considering extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for refractory cardiac arrest, but evidence regarding favorable outcomes remains scarce.

Medicina (Kaunas). 2026.

Transfusion Practice in Elderly Surgical Patients in Germany-A Secondary Data Analysis of over 21 Million Patients over a Decade.

: The aging population poses increasing challenges for perioperative care, particularly with respect to blood transfusion practices. This study evaluated transfusion patterns, associated risk factors, and outcomes among surgical patients aged 65 years and older. : All hospitalized surgical patients in Germany between 1 January 2013, and 31 December 2022, were included. Patients aged ≥ 65 years were categorized as transfused (having received red blood cells (RBCs)) or non-transfused. Patients with overlapping procedures or unknown surgical disciplines were excluded. Comorbidities, anemia, bleeding, complications, and blood product use were analyzed using ICD and OPS codes. : A total of 21,143,317 surgical patients aged ≥ 65 years met the inclusion criteria; 2,640,608 (12%) received at least one RBC transfusion. The median age was 79 (73-85) years overall, 79 (73-85) years among transfused patients, and 76 (70-81) years among non-transfused patients. Women accounted for 55.0% of cases. The highest median Elixhauser comorbidity score was observed in patients aged 80-84 years and was significantly higher in transfused patients. Essential hypertension was the most common risk factor, while acute kidney injury was the most frequent complication. Length of stay, ventilation hours, and ICU admission rates decreased with increasing age. Patients aged 65 years and older had an odds ratio of 3.99 (3.98-4.00) for receiving a transfusion. : In this observational study of surgical patients aged ≥ 65 years, the risk of receiving an RBC transfusion increased with age, whereas length of stay, ventilation time, and ICU admission rates decreased. These findings support individualized perioperative management strategies, emphasizing the appropriate evaluation and treatment of anemia and the rational use of blood products in older adults.

Blood Transfus. 2026.

Transfusion practice in elderly patients across surgical disciplines in Germany - a secondary data analysis of over 21 million patients.

Clinicians are increasingly confronted with elderly patients across nearly all surgical disciplines. Advanced age is an independent risk factor for complications, prolonged hospitalization, and particularly for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. The elderly suffer more frequently from anemia, which is associated with higher perioperative transfusion requirements, increased complication rates, and mortality Surgical disciplines differ not only in primary diagnoses but also in the demographics of their typical patient population.

Int J Emerg Med. 2026.

Time to intubate with an innovative intubation device: a dual-center randomized crossover non-inferiority simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation is a high-stakes intervention in emergency airway management, with patient safety closely linked to first-pass success and avoidance of repeated attempts. The Frankfurt Intubation Device (FID) is a bougie-inspired intubation device intended to provide fast protection against aspiration once positioned in the trachea. METHODS: This dual-center randomized crossover simulation study used an easy-to-intubate airway manikin. Ninety participants were divided into three groups of different experience (anesthesiologists, non-physician critical care staff, and medical students) to perform intubation with the Frankfurt Intubation Device (FID) and a standard endotracheal tube with stylet in randomized order. The primary outcome was non-inferiority of time to airway protection, measured from laryngoscope insertion to inflation of a cuffed device positioned in the trachea (T2; Δ = 5 s). Secondary outcomes included first-pass success, tooth damage, and exploratory assessment of training effects, with additional time-based outcomes assessed descriptively. RESULTS: Across all participants, the FID was non-inferior to the endotracheal tube with stylet for T2 (mean paired difference − 0.77 s, 95% CI − 2.50 to 0.97; non-inferiority margin 5 s). Exploratory analyses demonstrated consistent non-inferiority for T2 across experience groups (G1–G3) and randomization sequences. First-pass success was high in both arms (FID 96.7% vs. ET+stylet 94.4%), while tooth damage occurred less frequently with the FID (7.8% vs. 14.4%). Training effects were observed in the simulator. CONCLUSION: In this standardized simulation study using an easy-to-intubate airway manikin, the Frankfurt Intubation Device demonstrated non-inferiority to conventional endotracheal intubation with stylet for time to airway protection. Secondary findings support continued staged evaluation of the FID, particularly in more challenging airway scenarios and among users with limited airway experience, where differences in procedural performance may become more apparent. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable (simulation study).

Transfus Med Hemother. 2026.

Beyond Iron Deficiency: Unveiling the Prevalence of Folate and Vitamin B12 Deficiencies in Major Surgical Patients.

Preoperative anaemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. While iron deficiency is a well-recognized cause, the contribution of other nutritional deficiencies, such as folate and vitamin B12, remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and role of folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies in preoperative anaemia among patients undergoing major surgery.

J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2026.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of 1894 Women with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Treated with and Without Levosimendan in Germany.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of heart failure occurring during the last month of pregnancy or within five months postpartum. While levosimendan is considered beneficial in heart failure and cardiogenic shock, evidence supporting its use in PPCM is limited. This study investigated the prevalence of PPCM in Germany and evaluated outcomes associated with levosimendan use.

Minerva Anestesiol. 2025.

Comparative analysis of large language models and clinician responses in patient blood management knowledge.

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used in the medical field and have the potential to reduce workload and improve treatment procedures in clinical practice. This study evaluates the capabilities of LLMs to answer common questions related to patient blood management (PBM) and compares their performance to the expertise of clinicians from two university hospitals.

Sci Rep. 2025.

Critical risks of haemoadsorption for COVID-19 patients and directions for future evaluations: a nationwide propensity score matched cohort study.

Haemoadsorption has been suggested as treatment adjunct for sepsis and septic shock, cardiac surgery, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Randomised clinical trials did not provide conclusive evidence for benefits and even suggest risks in COVID-19 patients. Retrospective observational cohort study based on hospital remuneration data from all COVID-19 patients treated in intensive care units in Germany between 01/01/2020 and 12/31/2021. Regression modelling was performed for 1:1 propensity score matching of 2058 patients. Two-sided probability values for group comparisons and regression models with spline functions controlling for non-linear relationships and medically relevant interaction variables were calculated. In-hospital mortality of patients supported with haemoadsorption was significantly higher compared to matched control patients (74.6% vs. 70.3%, p = 0.0299). Haemoadsorption was associated with coagulopathy (68.0% vs. 54.9%, p < 0.0001), cardiac arrhythmia (49.2% vs. 44.2%, p = 0.0272), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR, 19.3% vs. 13.1%, p = 0.0002). Further, haemoadsorption increased the chance of death for COVID-19 patients without septic shock (odds ratio, OR [within a 95% confidence interval, CI]; 1.40 [1.05-1.86]) and did not improve survival of septic shock patients (1.19 [0.85-1.67]). Independent variables with a significant impact on mortality included the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO, 2.15 [1.68-2.76]) and CPR (1.60 [1.03-2.45]). The timing of the haemoadsorption therapy had no effect on patients´ outcomes. Due to inconclusive evidence for benefit and potential harm, haemoadsorption therapy should be limited to thoroughly designed clinical trials before introduced into clinical routine in the context of COVID-19.

NPJ Microgravity. 2025.

Impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during Hypergravity.

Optimal neuroendocrine responses are essential during hypergravity (+Gz) exposure. Peripheral skin cooling (PSC) may enhance neuroendocrine function, potentially improving +Gz resiliency and influencing leukocyte and hematologic factors. This study investigated whether PSC augments the cumulative +Gz stress index (CGSI) and shifts it toward noradrenergic dependency. Eighteen men underwent a graded +Gz profile in a crossover design, with PSC applied using Arctic Sun cooling pads. Neuroendocrine and blood profiles were assessed pre- and post-+Gz. CGSI did not differ between groups, but serum osmolality increased only in PSC (p = 0.03). In PSC, CGSI correlated with norepinephrine (p < 0.01, r = 0.71) and other markers, suggesting enhanced norepinephrine responsiveness despite similar serum levels. This response may be cardio-protective for space missions and ICU patients. Additionally, baseline serum metanephrine emerged as a potential marker for +Gz resilience, with PSC showing potential leukocytic and hematologic involvement in CGSI.

BMC Anesthesiol. 2025.

Reticulocyte hemoglobin content: a new frontier in iron deficiency diagnostics for major surgical patients.

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency among patients undergoing major surgery. Treatment of ID is straightforward, however implementing a comprehensive anemia management strategy within clinical routines is complex. Recently, reticulocyte hemoglobin content (Ret-He) has been evaluated as an early marker for ID diagnosis.

Neuroimage. 2025.

Parametrization of the dying brain: A case report from ICU bed-side EEG monitoring.

Cortical high-frequency activation immediately before death has been reported, raising questions about an enhanced conscious state at this critical time. Here, we analyzed an electroencephalogram (EEG) from a comatose patient during the dying process with a standard bedside monitor and spectral parameterization techniques.

Sci Rep. 2024.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in cardiovascular medication poisoning. A German-wide retrospective study.

Medication poisoning, resulting from the ingestion of cardiotoxic drugs, presents a significant health issue. The mortality rate remains high for patients with myocardial dysfunction refractory to conventional treatments. Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (V-A ECMO) provides temporary support, potentially enhancing patient outcomes. This study aims to assess the efficacy of V-A ECMO in treating cardiovascular failure induced by cardiovascular medication poisoning. We utilized inpatient data from all hospitalisations in Germany from 2007 to 2022 due to cardiovascular medication poisoning treated with V-A ECMO. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, complications and application of ECMO were described descriptively and analysed for statistical significance between survivors and non-survivors. Overall, 49 patients received V-A ECMO for cardiovascular medication poisoning, with a survival rate of 63.6%. The most ingested medications were calcium-channel blockers (38.8%) and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (34.7%). Half of non-survivors received in-hospital CPR, compared to 12.9% of survivors. Early ECMO implantation (within 24 h of admission) was common (83.7%) but did not significantly impact survival rates. A substantial number of patients presented with multiple substances ingested. V-A ECMO represents a viable option for patients experiencing cardiac failure due to medication poisoning. A structured implementation of V-A ECMO for cardiovascular medication poisoning could lead to higher survival rates.

J Crit Care. 2024.

The value of artificial intelligence for the treatment of mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients: An early health technology assessment.

The health and economic consequences of artificial intelligence (AI) systems for mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients often remain unstudied. Early health technology assessments (HTA) can examine the potential impact of AI systems by using available data and simulations. Therefore, we developed a generic health-economic model suitable for early HTA of AI systems for mechanically ventilated patients.

Br J Anaesth. 2024.

Use of cell salvage in obstetrics in Germany: analysis of national database of 305 610 cases with peripartum haemorrhage.

One of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide is severe obstetric haemorrhage after childbirth. Use of intraoperative cell salvage is strongly recommended by international guidelines on patient blood management. Recent data provide strong evidence that use of cell salvage in obstetrics is effective and safe in women with postpartum haemorrhage resulting in fewer transfusion-related adverse events and shorter hospital stay. We retrospectively analysed the use of cell salvage in bleeding women during delivery for a period of 10 yr in German hospitals.