Ultrasound Predictors of Difficulty in Performing Epidural Anesthesia for Labor in Pregnant Patients.

NCT ID: NCT07056166

Last Updated: 2025-09-18

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

563 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-08-13

Study Completion Date

2027-07-31

Brief Summary

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This is a prospective observational study conducted at the University Hospital of Padua. The goal is to identify ultrasound markers that can help predict whether placing an epidural catheter during labor will be difficult. Pregnant women who request epidural analgesia will undergo a quick ultrasound scan of their lower back before the procedure. The study will collect information such as age, weight, height, and spinal anatomy, as well as ultrasound measurements. This information will be compared with how easy or difficult it was to place the epidural. The study does not involve any experimental treatment and uses standard care procedures already in place. There are no additional risks or costs for participants.

Detailed Description

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This is a single-center, prospective observational study aimed at evaluating whether specific ultrasound measurements of spinal structures in pregnant women can predict technical difficulty in placing an epidural catheter during labor analgesia. All procedures performed are part of standard care and are routinely offered in the labor and delivery unit. Patients who consent to participate will undergo a lumbar ultrasound prior to epidural catheter placement. Data will be collected regarding anatomical and clinical characteristics, ultrasound findings, and procedural details. The study will run for two years or until the estimated sample size of 563 patients is reached. The results are intended to identify non-invasive predictors of challenging epidural placement, potentially improving patient safety and resource allocation.

Conditions

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Epidural Catheterization

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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Pregnant patients undergoing epidural placement for labor analgesia

epidural catheter

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Epidural catheter placement for labor analgesia

spine ultrasonography

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

An ultrasound scan will be performed on the spine to identify anatomical characteristics of potential interest

Interventions

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epidural catheter

Epidural catheter placement for labor analgesia

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

spine ultrasonography

An ultrasound scan will be performed on the spine to identify anatomical characteristics of potential interest

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Exclusion Criteria

* None
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Padova

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Alessandro De Cassai

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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University Hospital of Padua

Padua, , Italy

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Italy

Central Contacts

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Alessandro De Cassai, Medical Doctor

Role: CONTACT

+390498213090

Facility Contacts

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Alessandro De Cassai, Medical Doctor

Role: primary

+390498213090

Other Identifiers

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AOP3720

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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