Study Evaluating Dexmedetomidine in the Acute Treatment of Electrical Storm
Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation
Summary
The objective of this study is to determine if there is a meaningful benefit to using the sedative medication dexmedetomidine in the acute treatment of patients with recurrent ventricular arrhythmias, known as electrical storm. This will be a multi-centre, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Patients with electrical storm will be randomized to receive 48 to 72 hours of dexmedetomidine or placebo as part of their initial treatment in an intensive care unit.
Description
Electrical storm (ES), defined as three or more sustained or treated ventricular arrhythmias in a 24-hour period, is a life-threatening condition that is associated with significant short- and long-term mortality. Autonomic dysfunction from increased sympathetic tone and the catecholamine surge from defibrillator shocks can precipitate recurrent ventricular arrhythmias and exacerbate ES. Although the mainstay of treatment are anti-arrhythmic drugs, sedative agents and procedures are commonly used to decrease sympathetic tone. These therapies have been studied in refractory ES but the benefit o…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: \- All patients admitted to an intensive care unit with electrical storm over the age of 18 years will be approached for enrollment. Exclusion Criteria: * Refractory shock lasting for more than 30 minutes unrelated to ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), defined as requiring two or more vasopressors * SCAI class D or E cardiogenic shock * Cardiac arrest(s) with a no-flow and low-flow total time of greater than 10 minutes prior to recruitment. * ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)-induced VA with signs of active ischemia. * Bradycardia with heart rate less than 4…
Interventions
- DrugDexmedetomidine
Dose range: 0.3 mcg/kg/hr to 1 mcg/kg/hr.
- DrugNormal saline
Programed as dexmedetomidine on infusion pump.
Locations (2)
- Mayo ClinicRochester, Minnesota
- University of Ottawa Heart InstituteOttawa, Ontario