TraumaNCT01169025
Fentanyl vs. Low-Dose Ketamine for the Relief of Moderate to Severe Pain in Aeromedical Patients
A study testing Ketamine and Fentanyl in people with Trauma and Pain, run by University of Utah at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Often, patients transported by aeromedical systems do not receive enough medication to control and relieve their pain. The purpose of this study is to determine if pain treatment with intravenous (IV) ketamine is a better way to treat aeromedical patients' pain than the current treatment practices. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- What is being tested?
- Ketamine and Fentanyl
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 0 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Sep 2012to Oct 2014
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age > 18 years
- Moderate to severe acute, traumatic pain (self-reported NRS > 5)
- Ability to provide informed consent in English
- Flight destination to University of Utah Medical Center
Who cannot join
- Inability to use the NRS pain rating scale
- Historical or acute myocardial infarction or ischemia
- Ongoing hypertensive emergency
- Unconsciousness
- Allergic reaction to ketamine
- Increased intracranial or intraocular pressure
- Known pregnancy
- Prisoner
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of Utah Medical Center
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132
About this study
Often, patients transported by aeromedical systems do not receive enough medication to control and relieve their pain. The purpose of this study is to determine if pain treatment with intravenous (IV) ketamine is a better way to treat aeromedical patients' pain than the current treatment practices.
Read the detailed description
Specific Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy, side effects and safety of sub-dissociative doses of ketamine in controlling acute traumatic pain in patients transported by an aeromedical system when compared to standard doses of fentanyl.
Research Hypothesis: Aeromedical transport patients with acute pain treated with intravenous ketamine show a clinically significant difference in mean numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores as compared to those treated with fentanyl and show no increase in adverse events.
Background and Significance: Treatment of acute pain in aeromedical transport patients is important. Treatment may be limited by real or perceived concerns regarding analgesic side effects including sedation, loss of airway maintenance, and negative hemodynamic consequences. Ketamine used in sub-dissociative doses has strong analgesic properties while maintaining protective airway reflexes and demonstrating minimal adverse hemodynamic effects. It has been suggested as an ideal pre-hospital analgesic. Current literature regarding its use in the pre-hospital environment is limited.
Experimental Design: This prospective, double-blind, randomized trial compares 0.3 mg/kg of intravenous (IV) ketamine to 1 mcg/kg of IV fentanyl in adult aeromedical transport patients who require pain control. The primary outcome measure will be the change in NRS pain scores at ten minutes compared between the two groups. Secondary endpoints will include rates of adverse events, differences in the slope of NRS scores over time, the total amount of fentanyl/kg body weight/minute of flight required, overall research participant satisfaction with their level of pain relief at the end of the flight, and the subjective ranking of pain recall in comparison to other aspects of the patient's overall episode of care (pre-hospital, emergency department, inpatient, and post-discharge care), as measured at 30 days.
Data Analysis: Categorical variables will be analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Means of normally distributed variables will be compared using Student's t-test, and distributions of non-normally distributed variables will be compared using Mann-Whitney U. Bayesian generalized linear mixed modeling will be employed to model the time-dependent change in NRS scores between intervention groups while accounting for the autocorrelation inherent in a repeated measures design. SAS statistical software (SAS v. 9.2, Cary, NC) and WinBUGS software will be used for all analyses.
- Keywords
- Analgesia, Pain
- Medical subject headings
- Wounds and Injuries, Pain, Agnosia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
KetamineDrug
Also called Ketalar, Ketamine hydrochloride
Subjects receive 0.3 mg/kg IV ketamine over 5 minutes and are evaluated every 10 minutes. Residual or recurring pain will be treated as needed with adjunctive open-label bolus dosing of IV fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) followed by repeat boluses as needed every 10 minutes during the flight. For this open-label portion of the flight, subjects are asked if they need additional pain medication every 10 minutes, unless an earlier, spontaneous request is made by the subject or the provider determines that more is needed. For the potential of rare ketamine side effects (dysphoria, anxiety, or agitation), 2 mg IV midazolam is given every 5 minutes as needed for any of these symptoms. Vital signs are measured continuously throughout the protocol. Blood pressure is measured at 5 minute intervals.
FentanylDrug
Also called Fentanil, Sublimaze, Actiq, Durogesic
Subjects receive 1 mcg/kg IV fentanyl over 5 minutes. After first dose administration, subjects are evaluated every 10 minutes. Residual or recurring pain is treated as needed with adjunctive open-label bolus dosing of IV fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) followed by repeat boluses as needed every 10 minutes during the flight. For this open-label portion of the flight, flight nurses will query participants regarding their desire for additional pain medication every 10 minutes unless an earlier, spontaneous request is made by the participant or the provider determines that more is needed. Vital signs are measured continuously throughout the protocol. Blood pressure is measured at 5 minute intervals.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Ketamine | Experimental | Subjects receive 0.3 mg/kg IV ketamine over 5 minutes and are evaluated every 10 minutes. Residual or recurring pain will be treated as needed with adjunctive open-label bolus dosing of IV fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) followed by repeat boluses as needed every 10 minutes during the flight. For this open-label portion of the flight, subjects are asked if they need additional pain medication every 10 minutes, unless an earlier, spontaneous request is made by the subject or the provider determines that more is needed. For the potential of rare ketamine side effects (dysphoria, anxiety, or agitation), 2 mg IV midazolam is given every 5 minutes as needed for any of these symptoms. Vital signs are measured continuously throughout the protocol. Blood pressure is measured at 5 minute intervals. Receives: Drug: Ketamine |
| Fentanyl | Active comparator | Subjects receive 1 mcg/kg IV fentanyl over 5 minutes. After first dose administration, subjects are evaluated every 10 minutes. Residual or recurring pain is treated as needed with adjunctive open-label bolus dosing of IV fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) followed by repeat boluses as needed every 10 minutes during the flight. For this open-label portion of the flight, flight nurses will query participants regarding their desire for additional pain medication every 10 minutes unless an earlier, spontaneous request is made by the participant or the provider determines that more is needed. Vital signs are measured continuously throughout the protocol. Blood pressure is measured at 5 minute intervals. Receives: Drug: Fentanyl |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in NRS pain scores
The primary outcome measure will be the change in NRS pain scores at ten minutes compared between the subjects administered ketamine and those administered fentanyl.
Measured: Assessed every 6 months.
Secondary outcomes (5)
Rates of adverse events
Includes comparisons of clinically significant complications between the two regimens: post-administration respiratory depression as evidenced by either a step up in supplemental oxygen requirements or the need for an airway intervention; episodes of hypotension or hypertension; significant tachycardia; new subjective participant complaints of dysphoria, anxiety, or agitation at any time following drug administration.
Measured: Assessed every 6 months
Change in NRS pain scores over time
Evaluate the differences in the slope of the NRS pain scores over time.
Measured: 24 months from start of enrollment
Amount of fentanyl required
Measurement of the total amount of fentanyl/kg body weight/minute of flight that was required to treat patients' pain.
Measured: 24 months from start of enrollment
Participant satisfaction
Overall research participant satisfaction with their level of pain relief at the end of the flight.
Measured: 24 months from start of enrollment
Pain Recall
The subjective ranking of pain recall in comparison to other aspects of the patient's overall episode of care (pre-hospital, emergency department, inpatient, and post-discharge care), as measured at 30 days.
Measured: 24 months from start of enrollment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jul 2010 (estimated)
- Study startSep 2012
- Primary completionSep 2014 (estimated)
- Study completionOct 2014 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for TraumaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of UtahThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Utah
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Scott T Youngquist, MD, MS, Principal investigator, University of Utah
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01169025
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB_00040229
- Status last verified
- Jun 2012
- First submitted
- 7 Jul 2010
- Last updated
- 4 Jun 2012
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jun 2012. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Fentanyl vs. Low-Dose Ketamine for the Relief of Moderate to Severe Pain in Aeromedical Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01169025
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB_00040229
- Keywords
- Analgesia, Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Withdrawn
- Enrolment
- 0 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of UtahUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Sep 2012
- Primary completion
- Sep 2014 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Oct 2014 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Jul 2010 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Often, patients transported by aeromedical systems do not receive enough medication to control and relieve their pain. The purpose of this study is to determine if pain treatment with intravenous (IV) ketamine is a better way to treat aeromedical patients' pain than the current treatment practices.
Detailed description
Specific Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy, side effects and safety of sub-dissociative doses of ketamine in controlling acute traumatic pain in patients transported by an aeromedical system when compared to standard doses of fentanyl.
Research Hypothesis: Aeromedical transport patients with acute pain treated with intravenous ketamine show a clinically significant difference in mean numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores as compared to those treated with fentanyl and show no increase in adverse events.
Background and Significance: Treatment of acute pain in aeromedical transport patients is important. Treatment may be limited by real or perceived concerns regarding analgesic side effects including sedation, loss of airway maintenance, and negative hemodynamic consequences. Ketamine used in sub-dissociative doses has strong analgesic properties while maintaining protective airway reflexes and demonstrating minimal adverse hemodynamic effects. It has been suggested as an ideal pre-hospital analgesic. Current literature regarding its use in the pre-hospital environment is limited.
Experimental Design: This prospective, double-blind, randomized trial compares 0.3 mg/kg of intravenous (IV) ketamine to 1 mcg/kg of IV fentanyl in adult aeromedical transport patients who require pain control. The primary outcome measure will be the change in NRS pain scores at ten minutes compared between the two groups. Secondary endpoints will include rates of adverse events, differences in the slope of NRS scores over time, the total amount of fentanyl/kg body weight/minute of flight required, overall research participant satisfaction with their level of pain relief at the end of the flight, and the subjective ranking of pain recall in comparison to other aspects of the patient's overall episode of care (pre-hospital, emergency department, inpatient, and post-discharge care), as measured at 30 days.
Data Analysis: Categorical variables will be analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Means of normally distributed variables will be compared using Student's t-test, and distributions of non-normally distributed variables will be compared using Mann-Whitney U. Bayesian generalized linear mixed modeling will be employed to model the time-dependent change in NRS scores between intervention groups while accounting for the autocorrelation inherent in a repeated measures design. SAS statistical software (SAS v. 9.2, Cary, NC) and WinBUGS software will be used for all analyses.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Ketamine | Experimental | Drug: KetamineSubjects receive 0.3 mg/kg IV ketamine over 5 minutes and are evaluated every 10 minutes. Residual or recurring pain will be treated as needed with adjunctive open-label bolus dosing of IV fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) followed by repeat boluses as needed every 10 minutes during the flight. For this open-label portion of the flight, subjects are asked if they need additional pain medication every 10 minutes, unless an earlier, spontaneous request is made by the subject or the provider determines that more is needed. For the potential of rare ketamine side effects (dysphoria, anxiety, or agitation), 2 mg IV midazolam is given every 5 minutes as needed for any of these symptoms. Vital signs are measured continuously throughout the protocol. Blood pressure is measured at 5 minute intervals. |
| Fentanyl | Active comparator | Drug: FentanylSubjects receive 1 mcg/kg IV fentanyl over 5 minutes. After first dose administration, subjects are evaluated every 10 minutes. Residual or recurring pain is treated as needed with adjunctive open-label bolus dosing of IV fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) followed by repeat boluses as needed every 10 minutes during the flight. For this open-label portion of the flight, flight nurses will query participants regarding their desire for additional pain medication every 10 minutes unless an earlier, spontaneous request is made by the participant or the provider determines that more is needed. Vital signs are measured continuously throughout the protocol. Blood pressure is measured at 5 minute intervals. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age > 18 years
- Moderate to severe acute, traumatic pain (self-reported NRS > 5)
- Ability to provide informed consent in English
- Flight destination to University of Utah Medical Center
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Inability to use the NRS pain rating scale
- Historical or acute myocardial infarction or ischemia
- Ongoing hypertensive emergency
- Unconsciousness
- Allergic reaction to ketamine
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| KetamineAlso: Ketalar, Ketamine hydrochlorideSubjects receive 0.3 mg/kg IV ketamine over 5 minutes and are evaluated every 10 minutes. Residual or recurring pain will be treated as needed with adjunctive open-label bolus dosing of IV fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) followed by repeat boluses as needed every 10 minutes during the flight. For this open-label portion of the flight, subjects are asked if they need additional pain medication every 10 minutes, unless an earlier, spontaneous request is made by the subject or the provider determines that more is needed. For the potential of rare ketamine side effects (dysphoria, anxiety, or agitation), 2 mg IV midazolam is given every 5 minutes as needed for any of these symptoms. Vital signs are measured continuously throughout the protocol. Blood pressure is measured at 5 minute intervals. | Drug | Ketamine |
| FentanylAlso: Fentanil, Sublimaze, Actiq, DurogesicSubjects receive 1 mcg/kg IV fentanyl over 5 minutes. After first dose administration, subjects are evaluated every 10 minutes. Residual or recurring pain is treated as needed with adjunctive open-label bolus dosing of IV fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) followed by repeat boluses as needed every 10 minutes during the flight. For this open-label portion of the flight, flight nurses will query participants regarding their desire for additional pain medication every 10 minutes unless an earlier, spontaneous request is made by the participant or the provider determines that more is needed. Vital signs are measured continuously throughout the protocol. Blood pressure is measured at 5 minute intervals. | Drug | Fentanyl |
Primary outcome
Change in NRS pain scores
Time frame: Assessed every 6 months.
The primary outcome measure will be the change in NRS pain scores at ten minutes compared between the subjects administered ketamine and those administered fentanyl.
5 secondary outcomes
Rates of adverse events
Time frame: Assessed every 6 months
Change in NRS pain scores over time
Time frame: 24 months from start of enrollment
Amount of fentanyl required
Time frame: 24 months from start of enrollment
Participant satisfaction
Time frame: 24 months from start of enrollment
Pain Recall
Time frame: 24 months from start of enrollment
Results and safety
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Jun 2012.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Scott T Youngquist, MD, MS principal investigator
University of Utah
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Ketamine and Fentanyl in people with Trauma and Pain, run by University of Utah at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: withdrawn, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Jun 2012. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in NRS pain scores (time frame: Assessed every 6 months.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Jun 2012.