Real-time Ultrasound Guidance for Thoracic Epidural Blocks

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CHILE · Dec 7, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a technique called real-time ultrasound guidance to help doctors place thoracic epidural blocks. These blocks are used to provide pain relief for patients with conditions like thoracic tumors, abdominal tumors, or rib fractures. The goal of the study is to see if using ultrasound can improve the accuracy of placing the needle in the right spot, which is confirmed by a method called loss of resistance (LOR).

To participate in the trial, you need to be between 18 and 80 years old, have a stable health classification, and a body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 35. However, some individuals may not be eligible, such as those with severe infections, blood clotting issues, allergies to local anesthetics, or previous surgeries in the thoracic spine. If you qualify and decide to participate, you can expect to be part of a study that aims to enhance pain management techniques for various conditions. The trial is not yet recruiting, so you’ll need to wait for it to open before you can enroll.

Gender

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age between 18 and 80 years
• • American Society of Anesthesiologists classification 1-3
• • Body mass index between 20 and 35 (kg/m2)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Adults who are unable to give their own consent
• • Sepsis (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work up i.e. leukocytosis, increased c-reactive protein, increased procalcitonin)
• • Coagulopathy (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work up i.e. platelets ≤ 100, International Normalized Ratio ≥ 1.4 or prothrombin time ≥ 50)
• • Allergy to local anesthetics (LAs)
• • Prior surgery in the thoracic spine