Study Results
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Basic Information
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COMPLETED
PHASE4
48 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2015-09-30
2017-11-30
Brief Summary
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Sponsor-investigator: Klaus Ulrik Koch M.D.
Sponsor: Department of Anesthesia Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Objective:
To investigate whether phenylephrine and ephedrine causes different alterations in microcirculation and oxygenation, as measured with MRI and PET, in anesthetized patients with brain tumors. Using MRI and PET, the study will assess whether there is a difference in deoxyhemoglobin concentration (Bold signal), CTTH, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) between ephedrine and phenylephrine
Method:
Double blinded controlled randomized clinical trial. Either phenylephrine or ephedrine are infused intravenously under general anesthesia. MRI is performed in 20 patients before and after infusion. PET/CT is performed in 20 patients before and after infusion. BIS and NIRS monitoring will be used in either scanner. After scanning patients are transported to the operating theatre and the craniotomy is performed. After removal of the bone flap subdural ICP is measured and recorded.
MRI to analyze CBF, CTH, max.CMRO2, maxOEF, CBV and grey-scale ADC before and after ephedrine and phenylephrine. PET/CT to analyze CBF and CMRO2 before and after ephedrine and phenylephrine and calculation of OEF. During each PET/CT scan session oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration is measured.
Data from the proposed studies will add substantial new knowledge to the investigators current understanding of the effects of vasopressors on cerebral circulation. This information will aid the neuroanesthesiologist, neurointensivist and the neurosurgeon in the choice of the optimal method to manage cerebral perfusion pressure during craniotomy for brain tumor.
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Detailed Description
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During brain tumor surgery the main objective for the neuroanesthesiologist is to maintain a low intracranial pressure (ICP) and a sufficient cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) (CPP = mean arterial blood pressure \[MABP\] - ICP) to ensure adequate cerebral oxygenation. Brain tumors are often associated with edema and increased ICP and a specific recommendation for CPP thresholds during brain tumor surgery does not exist. In daily practice vasopressors are used to increase MABP to maintain a CPP between 50-70 mmHg in accordance with current guidelines for management of patients with traumatic brain pathology.
However, recent studies show that arterial blood pressure correlates only poorly with microcirculatory flow. Elevation of blood pressure may result in reduced capillary perfusion and oxygen delivery despite reaching resuscitation end-points with CPP within 50-70 mmHg. This is supported by an experimental study demonstrating vasopressor-induced mismatch between cerebral perfusion and oxygenation, possibly due to microvascular heterogeneity, as suggested by the authors. In addition, recent studies in healthy anesthetized subjects demonstrate that, despite an increase in MABP, cerebral oxygenation simultaneously decreases after phenylephrine but remains unchanged after administration of ephedrine. Thus, increasing CPP with vasopressors may lead to paradoxical microcirculatory response with vasopressor-induced tissue hypo-perfusion and hindered tissue oxygenation.
Brain microcirculation is the primary site of oxygen exchange. The investigators have recently proposed that red blood cell capillary transit time heterogeneity (CTTH) may affect tissue oxygen tension in patients with ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury. According to this theory capillary compression due to edema and elevated ICP may cause redistribution of capillary flows into patterns with functional shunting of oxygenated blood through the cerebral capillary bed. This capillary dysfunction may further hinder oxygen diffusion into cerebral tissue and ultimately cause cerebral ischemic damage. The dissimilar effects of phenylephrine and ephedrine on cerebral oxygenation may be caused by a different influence on brain capillary perfusion or alternated CTTH. Currently there are no studies available on the effects of commonly used vasopressors on brain microcirculation and oxygenation in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors.
Hypothesis:
The use of phenylephrine is associated with a reduction in brain oxygenation and microcirculation compared to ephedrine in anesthetized patients with brain tumors.
Specifically the investigators hypothesize that:
1. In peritumoral areas phenylephrine is associated with a local increase in CBF, increased CTTH, decreased oxygen extraction fraction and increase in the BOLD signal compared to ephedrine
2. Phenylephrine is associated with a reduction in oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) compared to ephedrine
Materials and methods:
Overall Study design:
Double blinded controlled randomized clinical trial.
Studies:
Study 1 (MRI study). 20 patients are randomized to infusion of either ephedrine or phenylephrine until MAP \>60 mmHg
Study 2 (PET study). 20 patients are randomized to infusion of either ephedrine or phenylephrine until MAP \>60mmHg
MRI and PET measurements are performed after induction of general anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. The MRI or PET sequence is then performed before administration of study-drug and again after the infusion of either phenylephrine or ephedrine results in MAP \> 60mmHg. Depth of anesthesia is monitored with BIS in both studies to ensure equal level of anesthetic depth in the two groups. NIRS is monitored in both studies to compare measurements of brain oxygenation determined by PET/CT. NIRS measurements are not possible during MR scan and will be measured either before or after the scan. BIS and NIRS are registered in each patients case report form (CRF). After the MRI/PET study the patient is transported to the operating theatre and the craniotomy is performed. After removal of the bone-flap, subdural ICP is measured and recorded as previously described.
The overall experimental setup is the same for the two studies. The patient is anesthetized and MRI or PET is performed before and after administration of a study-drug. The specific MRI and PET protocols are mentioned below
* MRI protocol
* Conventional MRI sequences on a high quality research scanner
* Diffusion-weighted MRI incl. diffusion kurtosis imaging
* Perfusion-weighted MRI before and after ephedrine or phenylephrine, respectively
* The duration of the entire MRI scan is estimated to 60 min. Two and a half standard doses of gadolinium MRI contrast are administered ( 0.25 mmol/kg).
* PET protocol
* Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF): 500 MBq of \[15O\]H2O is injected intravenously. At injection a three minute PET image acquisition of the brain is started together with arterial blood sampling (also three minutes) with an automated blood radioactivity sampler that draws 7 ml blood per minute. The PET acquisition is done on a Siemens High Resolution Research Tomograph (HRRT) in list mode.
* Cerebral Metabolic Rate of Oxygen (CMRO2): 1000 MBq of \[15O\]O2 is inhaled and immediately exhaled. At inhalation PET acquisition and blood sampling are performed with protocols identical to CBF.
* During each scan session oxygen saturation and haemoglobin concentration will be measured.
Physiological parameters (blood pressure and ICP) are documented in the CRF corresponding to each patient. BIS and NIRS data are stored on a portable computer and subjected to offline analysis. Parametric and non-parametric statistics will be used to compare MRI and PET. Physiological data will be recorded during stimulation with study-drugs. The sample size is based on previous publications where a MRI protocol was performed before and after drug administration in anesthetized patients. The exact form of applied statistics are not yet decided. This kind of study with new parameters from MRI and PET has never been done and statistical help will be consulted along the process.
Perspectives:
Data from the proposed studies will add to the investigators understanding of the cerebral microcirculation and its importance for brain oxygenation in patients of different age and comorbidity. Meanwhile, the study will provide new insights into the effects of vasopressors on the cerebral circulation. The study will thus provide direct observations for the investigators recent efforts to understand the role of the microcirculation in neurological disorders, and help the investigators chose the optimal method to manage CPP during craniotomy for brain tumor.
These insights may have implications for the future management of increased intracranial pressure and CPP after TBI and SAH.
Applicant´s part in the research:
Applicant Klaus Ulrik Koch is sponsor-investigator on this study and the responsible person of finishing the PhD thesis.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
TRIPLE
Study Groups
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Ephedrine
Ephedrine
Infusion of Ephedrine 2mg/ml until MAP above 60 mmHg or until MAP has raised 20%
Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine
Infusion of Phenylephrine 0,1mg/ml until MAP above 60 mmHg or until MAP has raised 20%
Interventions
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Ephedrine
Infusion of Ephedrine 2mg/ml until MAP above 60 mmHg or until MAP has raised 20%
Phenylephrine
Infusion of Phenylephrine 0,1mg/ml until MAP above 60 mmHg or until MAP has raised 20%
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologist) status 1-3 (27)
* Written informed consent from participating patients
Exclusion Criteria
* Pregnancy or nursing (negative pregnancy blood test)
* History of allergic reactions to phenylephrine or ephedrine
* eGFR \< 60ml/min/1.73m2
18 Years
75 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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University of Aarhus
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Leif Oestergaard, Professor
Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
University of Aarhus
Locations
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Aarhus University Hospital
Aarhus, Jylland, Denmark
Countries
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References
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Ngwenya LB, Chiocca EA. Editorial: postoperative ischemia. J Neurosurg. 2013 Apr;118(4):799-800; discussion 800. doi: 10.3171/2012.8.JNS121410. Epub 2013 Feb 1. No abstract available.
Koch KU, Tietze A, Aanerud J, Oettingen GV, Juul N, Sorensen JCH, Nikolajsen L, Ostergaard L, Rasmussen M. Effect of ephedrine and phenylephrine on brain oxygenation and microcirculation in anaesthetised patients with cerebral tumours: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2017 Nov 17;7(11):e018560. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018560.
Rasmussen M, Bundgaard H, Cold GE. Craniotomy for supratentorial brain tumors: risk factors for brain swelling after opening the dura mater. J Neurosurg. 2004 Oct;101(4):621-6. doi: 10.3171/jns.2004.101.4.0621.
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Rasmussen M, Ostergaard L, Juul N, Gyldensted C, Poulsen PV, Cold GE. Do indomethacin and propofol cause cerebral ischemic damage? Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors. Anesthesiology. 2004 Oct;101(4):872-8. doi: 10.1097/00000542-200410000-00011.
Dubin A, Pozo MO, Casabella CA, Palizas F Jr, Murias G, Moseinco MC, Kanoore Edul VS, Palizas F, Estenssoro E, Ince C. Increasing arterial blood pressure with norepinephrine does not improve microcirculatory blood flow: a prospective study. Crit Care. 2009;13(3):R92. doi: 10.1186/cc7922. Epub 2009 Jun 17.
Brain Trauma Foundation; American Association of Neurological Surgeons; Congress of Neurological Surgeons; Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care, AANS/CNS; Bratton SL, Chestnut RM, Ghajar J, McConnell Hammond FF, Harris OA, Hartl R, Manley GT, Nemecek A, Newell DW, Rosenthal G, Schouten J, Shutter L, Timmons SD, Ullman JS, Videtta W, Wilberger JE, Wright DW. Guidelines for the management of severe traumatic brain injury. XIV. Hyperventilation. J Neurotrauma. 2007;24 Suppl 1:S87-90. doi: 10.1089/neu.2007.9982. No abstract available.
Boerma EC, Ince C. The role of vasoactive agents in the resuscitation of microvascular perfusion and tissue oxygenation in critically ill patients. Intensive Care Med. 2010 Dec;36(12):2004-18. doi: 10.1007/s00134-010-1970-x. Epub 2010 Sep 2.
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Hahn GH, Hyttel-Sorensen S, Petersen SM, Pryds O, Greisen G. Cerebral effects of commonly used vasopressor-inotropes: a study in newborn piglets. PLoS One. 2013 May 20;8(5):e63069. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063069. Print 2013.
Nissen P, Brassard P, Jorgensen TB, Secher NH. Phenylephrine but not ephedrine reduces frontal lobe oxygenation following anesthesia-induced hypotension. Neurocrit Care. 2010 Feb;12(1):17-23. doi: 10.1007/s12028-009-9313-x.
Meng L, Cannesson M, Alexander BS, Yu Z, Kain ZN, Cerussi AE, Tromberg BJ, Mantulin WW. Effect of phenylephrine and ephedrine bolus treatment on cerebral oxygenation in anaesthetized patients. Br J Anaesth. 2011 Aug;107(2):209-17. doi: 10.1093/bja/aer150. Epub 2011 Jun 3.
Soeding PF, Hoy S, Hoy G, Evans M, Royse CF. Effect of phenylephrine on the haemodynamic state and cerebral oxygen saturation during anaesthesia in the upright position. Br J Anaesth. 2013 Aug;111(2):229-34. doi: 10.1093/bja/aet024. Epub 2013 Mar 21.
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Ostergaard L, Aamand R, Karabegovic S, Tietze A, Blicher JU, Mikkelsen IK, Iversen NK, Secher N, Engedal TS, Anzabi M, Jimenez EG, Cai C, Koch KU, Naess-Schmidt ET, Obel A, Juul N, Rasmussen M, Sorensen JC. The role of the microcirculation in delayed cerebral ischemia and chronic degenerative changes after subarachnoid hemorrhage. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2013 Dec;33(12):1825-37. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2013.173. Epub 2013 Sep 25.
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Related Links
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Product resume on Phenylephrine
Product resume on Ephedrine
Other Identifiers
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Vasobrain01
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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