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Serum Levels of Bupivacaine in Autotransfusion Drains Following Total Joint Arthroplasty

Serum Levels of Bupivacaine in Autotransfusion Drains Following Total Joint Arthroplasty

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02276040
Enrollment
26
Registered
2014-10-27
Start date
2014-10-31
Completion date
2017-06-30
Last updated
2017-11-30

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

Conditions

Knee Pain Arthritis

Keywords

Arthroplasty, Knee Replacement, Analgesia, pain

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to quantify the total blood serum levels of bupivacaine in OrthoPAT® collected blood 2 hours and 5 hours postoperatively. Hypothesis: Filtered blood from the OrthoPAT® autotransfusion system contains low or undetectable levels of bupivacaine hydrochloride (HCL). Reinfusion of collected blood from the OrthoPAT® device when used in conjunction with periarticular bupivicaine injections will not pose a bupivocaine toxicity risk to patients undergoing a total joint arthroplasty.

Detailed description

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is a commonly performed surgical procedure that can result in considerable postoperative pain which can limit social and functional recovery and a return to quality of life. Traditionally, pain control following TJA has been conducted with parenteral and oral narcotics. Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of multimodal analgesia following a variety of surgical procedures.1-2 These multimodal regimens vary and consist of any number of medications including narcotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, anti-epileptics, and peripheral nerve blocks among others. These multimodal regimens have been associated with a reduction in the use of opioid analgesics, leading to fewer opioid-associated adverse events.3-5 One of the newest modalities introduced on the market is liposomal bupivacaine, trade name Exparel. The advertised advantage of liposomal bupivacaine compared with bupivacaine HCL is a longer duration of analgesia owing to gradual release from the liposomes. Liposomal bupivacaine is employed in a periarticular injection at the conclusion of TJAs to aid in post-operative pain control. Patients receive a periarticular injection of liposomal bupivacaine intra-operatively during TJA. At the conclusion of the procedure, a specialized intra-articular drain (OrthoPAT®) is placed. The OrthoPAT® perioperative autotransfusion system collects the patient's blood in the immediate postoperative period and then allows for it to be transfused to the patient while on the floor. A potential risk, although low, is the concern for bupivicaine toxicity. Toxicity from bupivicaine is associated with central nervous system issues (seizures) and cardiac toxicity. Toxicity is dose dependent and recommended levels should not exceed 400mg/24 hr period. With autotransfusion, there is a theoretical concern that blood, potentially with increased levels of bupivicaine, could be reinfused into the vascular system and create toxicity.

Interventions

DRUGperiarticular bupivicaine and liposomal bupivicaine

Participants will receive Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine). Exparel is a FDA approved product. Exparel is an extended-release formulation of bupivacaine consisting of microscopic lipid-based particles that diffuse over an extended period. The result is pain relief that can last up to 96 hours after surgery. Extended-release liposomal bupivacaine-based analgesics were shown to provide extended pain relief and decrease opioid (pain medication) use. At the conclusion of the total joint arthroplasty procedure, Exparel is administered via injection into the joint (periarticular bupivicaine and liposomal bupivicaine).

Sponsors

OrthoCarolina Research Institute, Inc.
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Patients undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty with use of periarticular bupivicaine and liposomal bupivicaine and OrthoPAT® auto reinfusion system. * At least 18 years of age.

Exclusion criteria

* Allergy to bupivacaine. * Allergy to epinephrine. * Patients that are not presenting for a primary TJA * Patients who are having a TJA without OrthoPAT® auto reinfusion system. * Patients under age 18.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Blood Serum Levels of Bupivocaine From BaselineChange from baseline at 2 and 5 hours post-doseBupivocaine levels measured in the blood that is collected in a surgical drain post surgery. Blood samples will be tested for change in serum bupivicaine levels from baseline.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Exparalel
Participants received Exparel (periarticular bupivicaine and liposomal bupivicaine). periarticular bupivicaine and liposomal bupivicaine: Participants received Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine). Exparel is a FDA approved product. Exparel is an extended-release formulation of bupivacaine consisting of microscopic lipid-based particles that diffuse over an extended period. The result is pain relief that can last up to 96 hours after surgery. Extended-release liposomal bupivacaine-based analgesics were shown to provide extended pain relief and decrease opioid (pain medication) use. At the conclusion of the total joint arthroplasty procedure, Exparel was administered via injection into the joint (periarticular bupivicaine and liposomal bupivicaine).
11
Total11

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyPhysician Decision15

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicExparalel
Age, Continuous63 years
Region of Enrollment
United States
11 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
7 Participants
Surgery Performed
Total Hip Arthroplasty
5 Participants
Surgery Performed
Total Knee Arthroplasty
6 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 11
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 11
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 11

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Blood Serum Levels of Bupivocaine From Baseline

Bupivocaine levels measured in the blood that is collected in a surgical drain post surgery. Blood samples will be tested for change in serum bupivicaine levels from baseline.

Time frame: Change from baseline at 2 and 5 hours post-dose

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
ExparalelChange in Blood Serum Levels of Bupivocaine From Baseline2 Hours Post-Dose0.6 ug/cc
ExparalelChange in Blood Serum Levels of Bupivocaine From Baseline5 Hours Post-Dose0.95 ug/cc
ExparalelChange in Blood Serum Levels of Bupivocaine From Baseline2 & 5 Hours Combined0.8 ug/cc

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