Arthritis of Knee
Conditions
Brief summary
The primary goal is to evaluate ropivacaine blood concentrations during and after local anaesthetic (ropivacaine) infiltration - the Caledonian technique - for total knee replacement surgery. The investigators plan to measure these levels by testing blood samples taken over a timed period. This will allow us to confirm whether the current regimen of local anaesthetic use is within safe limits.
Detailed description
Local anaesthetic (LA) toxicity may occur when the blood levels of a drug become particularly high. There is a need to confirm that the technique is safe to use. In addition, journal case reports may only describe serious side-effects of toxicity such as abnormal heart rhythms whilst more subtle clinical signs are rarely reported. The investigators would like to study whether or not toxic levels may be approached in some patients or whether more subtle toxicity symptoms and signs are missed. For example, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure or confusion/agitation. Therefore, the investigators intend to study ropivacaine blood levels in patients receiving a total knee replacement in the Golden Jubilee National Hospital. A series of timed samples will be taken during the perioperative period. The anaesthesia and surgery will be performed as routine and no new treatment will be involved. Patient demographics, ropivacaine blood levels and clinical observations following LA administration will be collected.
Interventions
DRUGRopivacaine
Sponsors
B. Braun Medical Inc.
University of Strathclyde
Golden Jubilee National Hospital
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male or female patients greater than 65 years of age
Exclusion criteria
* Patients with a known sensitivity/allergy to ropivacaine or amide-type local anaesthetics * Patients who are not suitable for the Caledonian technique * Patients who refuse or are unable to give consent * Patients undergoing bilateral hip replacements * Patients with known heart, liver or kidney failure
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma levels of ropivacaine | First 24 hours after surgery | Plasma levels of ropivacaine were analysed to determine total and free levels |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical observations | First 24 hours after surgery | Clinical observations, including potential symptoms and signs of local anaesthetic toxicity, were recorded at the same time as blood sampling |
| Evidence of dysrrhythmias as measured by 24-hour Holter monitoring | First 24 hours after surgery | 24-hour Holter monitoring was conducted to detect any potential sequelae of local anaesthetic toxicity |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed