Risk Prediction of Dexmedetomidine-associated Hemodynamic Instability (DEXSEDATION)

Assiut University

Status and phase: Suspended; Phase 3; Phase 2

Conditions: Sedation

Treatments: Drug: DEX 0.2 μg/kg/h.

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03285087

17200062

Details and patient eligibility

About

Hypotension and bradycardia have been commonly associated with dexmedetomidine therapy, occurring in 13% to 68% and 1% to 42% of patients, respectively. The variability in reported incidence may be partially attributed to inconsistent definitions and study populations. The significance of this hemodynamic instability is not only highlighted by its high incidence but also the need for corrective interventions. In one study, hemodynamic instability requiring clinical intervention occurred in nearly one third of ICU patients receiving dexmedetomidine. Moreover, patients who experienced dexmedetomidine-associated hypotension had a higher mortality rate than those who did not.

Full description

Dexmedetomidine is specific for the α-2a receptor, especially at lower concentrations, resulting in both vasodilation and a blunting of the sympathetic response. Due to these mechanistic considerations, patients who are dependent upon adrenergic tone to maintain blood pressure are more prone to its' hemodynamic instability. This is especially true in those who are receiving dexmedetomidine in the settings of hypovolemia, traumatic spinal cord injury, or general anesthetic administration. The use of dexmedetomidine in these patient populations may explain the high rate of hypotension reported in a recent study in trauma patients where almost 50% of patients had a spinal cord injury.

Although hemodynamic instability may negatively impact outcomes in the ICU, specific risk factors for the development of clinically significant hemodynamic instability in patients receiving dexmedetomidine are poorly characterized in the current literature. Although previous studies in focused populations have implicated dexmedetomidine dosing strategies, including initial loading infusions and titration frequency, the degree to which alternative patient-specific factors or concurrent interventions impact the risk of hemodynamic instability remains incompletely understood.

The aim of this study will be to determine the risk factors of dexmedetomidine-associated hemodynamic instability in critically ill trauma patients and the effect of this hemodynamic instability on different body systems.

Enrollment: 250 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adult patients (18-65 years old)
• admitted to Intensive care units in Assiut university Hospital
• requiring endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation and light to moderate sedation
• of an estimated duration not less than 24h.

Exclusion criteria

• History of coronary care unit admission.
• Severe traumatic brain injury.
• Low baseline arterial blood pressure defined as SBP <100 mm Hg or mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) <70 mm Hg in the 60 minutes preceding dexmedetomidine initiation.
• Slow baseline heart rate was <70 bpm in the 60 minutes preceding dexmedetomidine initiation.
• Spinal cord injury.
• Patients who have a cardiac pacemaker or automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
• Patients who are admitted with a primary diagnosis of substance withdrawal.
• Pregnant females.
• Patients who are incarcerated.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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250 participants in 1 patient group

DEX 0.2 μg/kg/h

Experimental group

Description:

Patients will receive dexmedetomidine for sedation with initial maintenance dose rate of 0.2 μg/kg/h. The dose will be increased in 0.1 μg/kg/h increments to achieve target Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) levels of -2 to zero and with a maximum dose of 1.4 μg/kg/h for 24 hours.

Treatment:

Drug: DEX 0.2 μg/kg/h.