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Embolic Events Detected During Total Knee Arthroplasty With the Use of RIA (Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator)

Embolic Events Detected During Total Knee Arthroplasty With and Without the Use of RIA (Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator): A Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study

Status
Terminated
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00815958
Enrollment
6
Registered
2008-12-31
Start date
2007-12-31
Completion date
2009-03-31
Last updated
2017-01-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Total Knee Replacement

Keywords

knee replacement surgery, Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator, femoral reaming, fat embolism

Brief summary

The embolisation of fat and bone marrow during long bone instrumentation is a well-known complication of major joint replacement surgery. Clinically significant venous thromboembolic disease, cardiopulmonary dysfunction,cerebral emboli, and death have all been described. Because the intravasation of medullary contents is caused by increased pressure during canal instrumentation, the use of the Synthes RIA (Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator), a negative pressure-irrigated high-speed reamer, may result in a lower incidence of embolism. This controlled clinical trial will evaluate the utility of the RIA in reducing the frequency and severity of embolic events as detected by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery.

Detailed description

Patients scheduled to undergo total knee replacement surgery will be randomized to receive reaming with either the Synthes RIA (intervention group) or standard reamer (control group). All subjects will undergo intraoperative monitoring with transesophageal echocardiography and transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Both intraoperative and postoperative oxygen saturation levels will be monitored and recorded for evidence of hypoxemia. Subjects will be evaluated for evidence of thrombogenesis and systemic inflammation both preoperatively and at selected postoperative intervals.

Interventions

PROCEDUREReaming with Synthes RIA (Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator)

During knee replacement surgery, the study anesthesiologist will place probes for the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and the transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD). In patients randomized to the RIA group (Arm A), surgery performed by the investigating orthopaedic surgeon will be done according to standard of care guidelines up until femoral reaming. These patients will receive reaming with RIA. The remainder of the surgery will also be done according to the standard of care. TEE and TCD data will be recorded throughout the surgery.

PROCEDUREReaming with conventional reamer

During knee replacement surgery, the study anesthesiologist will place probes for the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and the transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD). In patients randomized to the control group (Arm B), surgery performed by the investigating orthopaedic surgeon will be done according to standard of care guidelines. These patients will receive reaming with the conventional method/reamer. TEE and TCD data will be recorded throughout the surgery.

Sponsors

Synthes Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Ohio State University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Subject is 18 years of age or older * Scheduled or soon to be scheduled for elective total knee replacement surgery * No previous history of hip or (ipsilateral) knee replacement

Exclusion criteria

* Subject is under 18 * Prior instrumentation of the medullary canal (knee or hip) * History of esophageal or GI disease or other contraindication for TEE * Previous history of DVT * Currently on anti-coagulant therapy (i.e. Coumadin or others) * Currently on supplemental oxygen or SpO2 is below 90 on room air * Cognitive or language barriers limiting comprehension of study materials in English * Subject is pregnant or planning pregnancy * Current or impending incarceration

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
The incidence of intraoperative embolic events detected with transesophageal echocardiography and transcranial Doppler and the grade or size of these embolic eventsDuring surgery

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Activation of thrombogenesis and VTE complications, intraoperative and postoperative hypoxemia, and level of systemic inflammation.Post-surgery

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026