MedPath

Autonomic Control of the Circulation and VDR

Early Phase 1
Recruiting
Conditions
Venous Distension Reflex
Blood Pressure
Interventions
Other: Wrist-to-elbow (W-E) occlusion
Drug: saline control
Registration Number
NCT03513770
Lead Sponsor
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Brief Summary

The study objective of this project is to examine the mechanisms of the venous distension reflex (VDR) in humans. We hypothesize that COX blockade with ketorolac tromethamine, an intravenous NSAID, will attenuate the muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) response to limb venous distension. To gain further insight into whether the COX byproducts directly stimulate chemically-sensitive afferents, or enable venodilation and indirectly evoke afferent stimulation, we will measure vein size using 3T MRI during venous distention with and without ketorolac infusions.

Detailed Description

We will use a prospective observational design to examine if a COX blockade will inhibit the MSNA response to venous distension (Aim1), and if a COX blockade will alter vein sizes during venous distension (Aim2). Each subject will serve as their own control.

Aim 1:

An IV will be inserted in the antecubital fossa of one arm, and the wrist-to-elbow occlusion will be performed.

To block the COX system, 6 mg ketorolac tromethamine in 10 ml saline will be infused into the forearm over 1 minute (Infusion 1). After 10 minutes, a second infusion of ketorolac tromethamine (up to 3 mg) in 5% of the forearm volume of saline,( \~40-60 ml) will be infused into the occluded forearm at a rate of \~ 30 ml/min (Infusion 2). Five minutes of data will then be collected before releasing the upper arm cuff. Infusion 1 is to block the COX pathway, while infusion 2 is to induce venous distension.

In the saline control trial, saline (without ketorolac) in identical volumes as those in the COX blockade trial will be performed on a separate day.

Aim 2:

The subject will lie supine inside the MRI scanner. The subject will be instrumented with cuffs for the wrist-to-elbow occlusion procedure on one arm, and cuffs for automated BP and HR measurements from the other arm, The images will be obtained before and during the wrist-to-elbow occlusion procedure. The sizes of veins (i.e. cross sectional area) will be measured offline.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
18
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
KetorolacWrist-to-elbow (W-E) occlusionThe Wrist-to-Elbow occlusion procedure will be performed followed by 2 ketorolac tromethamine + saline infusions into the occluded arm.
ControlWrist-to-elbow (W-E) occlusionThe Wrist-to-Elbow occlusion procedure will be performed followed by 2 saline only infusions into the occluded arm.
Controlsaline controlThe Wrist-to-Elbow occlusion procedure will be performed followed by 2 saline only infusions into the occluded arm.
Ketorolacketorolac tromethamineThe Wrist-to-Elbow occlusion procedure will be performed followed by 2 ketorolac tromethamine + saline infusions into the occluded arm.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Microneurography (MSNA)Recorded continuously during the 3-4 hour study visit

This technique provides direct recordings of sympathetic nerve activity directed to blood vessels in skeletal muscle and will be our primary index of sympathoexcitation. This procedure may be performed in the either leg. External mapping of the peroneal or tibial nerve course (10-60 volts, 1-5msec, 1Hz) will be performed just behind the fibular head of the leg or in the popliteal fossa. A reference electrode will be placed subcutaneously about 2-3 cm away from the recording site. Multiunit recordings of MSNA in the leg will be obtained by transcutaneous placement of a tungsten microelectrode (insulated 200 ?m diameter with a tapered un-insulated 1-5 ?m tip) into C-fiber containing fascicle in the nerve. The electrode will be manipulated to yield a neurogram with characteristic bursts of MSNA, that will be amplified, filtered, rectified and integrated to obtain a mean voltage neurogram. Analysis consists of counting burst frequency and amplitude.

Vein size with MRIRecorded continuously during the 3-4 hour study visit

Forearm cross sectional images will be obtained in HMC MRI facility. The proton weighted images will be obtained with Siemens Magnetom Trio 3T scanner (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany). Contrast agents are not required for this completely noninvasive technique. The subject will lie supine inside the MRI scanner, and will be instrumented with an cuffs for the wrist-to-elbow occlusion procedure on one arm, and cuffs for automated BP and HR measurements from the other arm, The images will be obtained before and during the wrist-to-elbow occlusion procedure. The sizes of veins (i.e. cross sectional area) will be measured offline.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Laser-Doppler flowmetryRecorded continuously during the 3-4 hour study visit

Skin blood flow will be monitored non-invasively by laser-Doppler flowmetry using special probes taped to the skin. The skin blood flow may be measured from both arms, and legs (up to 4 probes total).

Strain gaugeRecorded continuously during the 3-4 hour study visit

The circumference changes of the forearm will be measured with strain gauges (up to 4 gauges on one arm).

ImpedanceRecorded continuously during the 3-4 hour study visit

The electrical impedance or resistance (Zo, in ohms) of a limb segment will be measured, which reflects the total fluid content of the limb. Fluid is an excellent conductor of electricity and the electrical current travels more easily through a ?wet? limb with more blood/fluid volume in the limb. The relative change in Zo will be used as an index for the fluid/blood volume change in a limb segment. By placing 2 pieces of tape with metal strips on the limb, we are able to measure impedance of the limb segment between the tapes.

Heart RateRecorded continuously during the 3-4 hour study visit

Heart rate will be continuously monitored using EKG patch electrodes and monitor (Cardiocap, Datex-Ohmeda, GE Healthcare).

Blood PressureRecorded continuously during the 3-4 hour study visit

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be monitored using an automatic, non-invasive arm cuff (SureSigns VS3, Philips, Philips Medical Systems), and on the finger with a Finometer (Finapres Medical Systems). Baseline Finometer BP will be adjusted to match the arm cuff BP.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

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Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

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