Rapid sequence intubation is commonly performed in the emergency department to secure the airway of critically ill patients. However, blood pressure may decrease during or shortly after intubation because of the patient's underlying illness, the effects of induction medications, and the transition to positive-pressure ventilation. This complication is known as peri-intubation hypotension and is associated with worse clinical outcomes.
This study will evaluate whether a preemptive low dose of intravenous adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, can reduce peri-intubation hypotension in adult emergency department patients undergoing rapid sequence intubation. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 10 mcg of intravenous adrenaline or 1 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride placebo immediately before induction. The study will compare hemodynamic changes, vasopressor requirements, safety outcomes, and mortality between the two groups.
Adult patients aged 18 years or older
Patients in the emergency department for whom the treating physician has made a clinical decision to perform rapid sequence intubation
Patients who are hypotensive, defined as systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg or mean arterial pressure less than 65 mmHg, or who are considered to be at significant risk of hypotension during rapid sequence intubation
Written informed consent obtained from the patient or from a legally authorized representative when the patient lacks decision-making capacity
Pregnancy
Known allergy to adrenaline
Known contraindication to adrenaline administration
Withdrawal of consent by the patient or legally authorized representative after enrollment
Parallel
Adrenaline
DrugParticipants receive 10 mcg of intravenous adrenaline, administered as 1 mL of a 10 mcg/mL dilution, immediately before the administration of induction agents for rapid sequence intubation.
0.9 % sodium chloride
DrugParticipants receive 1 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride intravenously as placebo immediately before the administration of induction agents for rapid sequence intubation. The placebo syringe is identical in volume and appearance to the adrenaline syringe.
Peri-intubation hypotension
Peri-intubation hypotension will be defined as the occurrence of systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg or mean arterial pressure less than 65 mmHg at any time during the first 60 minutes after intubation. The incidence of peri-intubation hypotension will be compared between the adrenaline and placebo groups.
Change in mean arterial pressure from baseline
Mean arterial pressure will be recorded at baseline and at 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after intubation. Changes from baseline will be compared between the adrenaline and placebo groups.
Change in heart rate from baseline
Heart rate will be recorded at baseline and at 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after intubation. Changes from baseline will be compared between the adrenaline and placebo groups.
Post-intubation vasopressor requirement
The need for continuous vasopressor infusion after intubation will be recorded. Total vasopressor dose administered during the first hour and the first 24 hours after intubation will be compared between the adrenaline and placebo groups.
Adverse events
Adverse events including reactive hypertension, cardiac arrest, mortality
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital
Lead sponsor
Marmara University
Sponsor institution
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options:
