An Observational Study to Test the Effect of the Vasoactive Drugs Phenylephrine and Ephedrine on the Stroke Volume and Microvascular Blood Flow of Healthy Volunteers
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Administration of phenylephrine
- Conditions
- Healthy Volunteers
- Sponsor
- University of Nottingham
- Enrollment
- 8
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in microvascular blood flow
- Last Updated
- 11 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
During operations to treat abdominal problems the blood pressure can fall, resulting in falls in blood flow to the vital organs. This fall can be treated by the administration of drugs that cause constriction of blood vessels. Although these drugs correct falls in blood pressure, it is unclear what effect they have on blood flow from the heart and to the vital organs.
In this study of healthy volunteers we aim to better understand the changes in blood flow in both small and large vessels that occur in response to administration of these drugs. To do this we will use two different techniques of ultrasound imaging. A narrow (4-5mm) ultrasound probe will be inserted into the oesophagus via a nostril to measure blood flow in a major blood vessel. A second probe will rest on the abdomen and will record changes in blood flow in small vessels of the liver. Two drugs which raise the blood pressure via different mechanisms will be administered and the changes in flow from the heart and to vital organs will be measured and compared.
Detailed Description
Optimising the cardiac output is essential to ensure adequate organ perfusion in patients who are undergoing major surgery. To enable this cardiac output (CO) is frequently monitored during operations using a variety of techniques; one such technique is trans-oesophageal Doppler ultrasound also known as oesophageal Doppler monitoring (ODM). ODM measurement of CO is a less invasive technique than many currently used methods, and has recently been recommended by NICE for adoption in clinical practice. The matching of microvascular blood flow and CO is advantageous for visceral organs, in marrying demands for oxygen and nutrients to their delivery. Major surgery and the attendant requirement for general anaesthesia can result in dramatic changes in blood pressure (BP) and CO. These changes can be corrected by the administration of vasoactive drugs such as phenylephrine and ephedrine, although it is unclear what effects these drugs have on microvascular blood flow (MVBF) to the intra-abdominal viscera. Whilst they correct falls in BP, and hence may increase visceral flow, this increased BP is partially mediated via splanchnic vasoconstriction, which may result in decreased blood flow. A greater appreciation of the effect of these vasoactive drugs on the CO and MVBF may help with the development of more refined algorithms for their use in the clinical setting. In our clinical physiology laboratories we regularly employ contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using a Phillips iU22, to measure MVBF in healthy males following a variety of physiological challenges. This minimally invasive ultrasound based imaging technique is ideal for gaining an insight into the effect various physiological interventions have on tissue blood flow and could be readily used to chart changes in visceral MVBF and CO following vasoactive drug administration. Transference of this investigative approach to a clinical setting has the potential to greatly improve the care of the surgical patient under anaesthesia.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Aged 18-60 years
- •Able to consent in English by themselves
- •Absence of any exclusion criteria
Exclusion Criteria
- •A BMI \< 20 or \> 28 kg•m2
- •Active cardiovascular disease: uncontrolled hypertension (BP \> 140/90), angina, heart failure (class III/IV), arthymia, right to left cardiac shunt or recent cardiac event
- •Individuals taking alpha or beta-adrenergic blocking agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin or noradrenaline selective reuptake inhibitors, quinidine, cardiac glycosides or buspirone (or who have ceased taking them in the previous 14 days¬)
- •Cerebrovascular disease: previous stroke, aneurysm (large vessel or intracranial)
- •Peripheral vascular disease
- •Metabolic disease: hyper and hypo parathyroidism, untreated hyper and hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, types 1 or 2 diabetes
- •Active inflammatory bowel disease, or renal disease
- •Known prostatic hypertrophy
- •Malignancy
- •Clotting dysfunction
Arms & Interventions
Group 1
Healthy volunteers
Intervention: Administration of phenylephrine
Group 1
Healthy volunteers
Intervention: Measurement of stroke volume
Group 1
Healthy volunteers
Intervention: Contrast enhanced ultrasound scan
Group 1
Healthy volunteers
Intervention: Administration of ephedrine
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in microvascular blood flow
Time Frame: 30 minutes
Microvascular visceral blood flow is assessed using contrast enhanced ultrasound, and will be assessed before and after the administration of each drug.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in stroke volume(30 mins)