NCT00197340

Antepartum Chronic Epidural Therapy (ACET) to Improve Blood Flow to the Uterus, Placenta and Baby in Pre-Eclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Antepartum Chronic Epidural Therapy (ACET) Using Ropivacaine to Improve Uteroplacental Blood Flow in Pre-Eclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Hadassah Medical Organization · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Pre-eclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are common and important disorders of pregnancy. Both disorders are associated with an impairment of uteroplacental blood flow (UPBF). No effective therapy has been identified to reliably improve UPBF in these patients and typically, obstetric management involves interventional delivery, particularly problematic when remote from term. This study assess the hypothesis that epidural local anesthetics may improve UPBF in these patients.

Detailed description

Women with sonographic uterine artery flow abnormalities and either PE or IUGR (or both) were randomized to either ACET or non ACET control. Both groups were able to receive standard therapies (in-hospital monitoring, magnesium and anti-hypertensives as appropriate). The first five days of the therapeutic arm (ACET) consisted of a dose-finding trial, where epidural ropivacaine infusions (10ml/hr for 24 hours) of 0•04%, 0•06%, 0•08% and 0•1% and a saline placebo were each administered via tunneled epidural catheters in a randomized, double-blinded, cross-over design over five consecutive days; all three women received all doses. Doppler measurement of flow in the uterine artery was performed at baseline and at the end of each dose period. The ideal dose for an individual was determined to be lowest dose of drug giving maximal effect without side effects; in the second stage of the study, this dose was administered until delivery with the addition of a second placebo day to during this period.

Conditions

• Pre-Eclampsia
• Fetal Growth Retardation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Epidural ropivacaine

Timeline

• Start date: 2003-08-01
• Primary completion: 2006-12-01
• Completion: 2006-12-01
• First posted: 2005-09-20
• Last updated: 2008-07-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Israel