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RAFFAB: Regional Changes in Upper Limb Perfusion Following Brachial Plexus Block: A Pilot Study

Sponsor
Lawson Health Research Institute (Other)
Overall Status
Completed
CT.gov ID
NCT02589054
Collaborator
University of Western Ontario, Canada (Other), London Health Sciences Centre (Other), St. Joseph's Health Care London (Other)
18
Enrollment
4
Duration (Months)

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is increasingly being used in the modern surgical environment to provide specific intraoperative anesthesia and postoperative analgesia. Infiltration of local anesthesics around peripheral nerves firs blocks sympathetic, then sensory, then motor nerve function. Sympathectomy-induced vasodilation following brachial plexus block results in increased skin temperature and arterial flow within minutes.

Although it has not been shown to reliably increase diameter or cross-sectional area of distal arteries, brachial plexus block does change the pattern and quantity of blood flow to the hand. Given that the magnitude of change of flow cannot be attributed to vessel radius, the investigators suspect that the more laminar fluid dynamics are due to vascular tone.

The investigators study aims to quantify alterations in physiology and peripheral vasodilator response. The investigators anticipate that axially block will significantly improve regional blood flow.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
  • Other: Monitoring

Study Design

Study Type:
Observational
Actual Enrollment :
18 participants
Observational Model:
Case-Control
Time Perspective:
Prospective
Official Title:
Regional Changes in Upper Limb Perfusion Following Brachial Plexus Block: A Pilot Study
Study Start Date :
Nov 1, 2015
Actual Primary Completion Date :
Jan 1, 2016
Actual Study Completion Date :
Mar 1, 2016

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Patients

Other: Monitoring

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

  1. Changes in regional blood flow and perfusion characteristics in the upper arm arteries from baseline to 20 minutes after unilateral axillary block. [30 minutes]

    Physiologic parameter

Secondary Outcome Measures

  1. Changes in the caliber of the arteries of the arm between arms from baseline to 20 minutes after unilateral axillary block. [30 minutes]

    Physiologic parameter

  2. Changes in skin temperature between hands from baseline to 20 minutes after unilateral axillary block. [30 minutes]

    Physiologic parameter

  3. Sensory loss in radial, ulnar, and median nerve distribution between hands from baseline to 20 minutes after unilateral axillary block. [30 minutes]

    Physical examination

  4. Motor weakness in radial, ulnar, and median nerve distributions between hands from baseline to 20 minutes after unilateral axillary block [30 Minutes]

    Physical examination

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:
18 Years to 80 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
No
Inclusion Criteria:

  • ASA physical status I, II, III

  • BMI less than or equal to 39

  • Presenting for elective upper limb surgery

  • Does not meet any exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age over 80

  • ASA physical status IV or V

  • BMI greater or equal to 40

  • Language barrier precluding ability to give informed consent

  • History of coagulopathy

  • INR < 1.4

  • Platelet count < 100

  • Allergy to local anesthetics

  • Known peripheral vascular disease of the upper limbs

  • Amputation of one or both upper limbs, not including digits

  • Peripheral neurological disease

  • Does not consent to participate in study

Contacts and Locations

Locations

No locations specified.

Sponsors and Collaborators

  • Lawson Health Research Institute
  • University of Western Ontario, Canada
  • London Health Sciences Centre
  • St. Joseph's Health Care London

Investigators

None specified.

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

None provided.
Responsible Party:
Lawson Health Research Institute
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT02589054
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • 106285
First Posted:
Oct 28, 2015
Last Update Posted:
Mar 30, 2017
Last Verified:
Oct 1, 2015

Study Results

No Results Posted as of Mar 30, 2017