Noninvasive Neurostimulation of the Vagus Nerve for the Relief of Acute Bronchoconstriction Due to Asthma

Asthma Clinical Trial

— BC-SA-01  

Official title:

Noninvasive Neurostimulation of the Vagus Nerve With the AlphaCore System for the Relief of Acute Bronchoconstriction Due to Asthma

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Terminated

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01385306
• Other study ID #: BC-SA-01
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: June 2011
• Est. completion date: July 2012

Study information

• Verified date: October 2018
• Source: ElectroCore INC
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The objective of this feasibility research study is to gather preliminary clinical data regarding the safety and potential clinical benefit of noninvasive neurostimulation of the vagus nerve with the AlphaCore™ system for the relief of acute bronchoconstriction due to asthma.

Description:

The purpose of the study was to collect initial safety and efficacy information of use of the AlphaCore System by clinicians in an emergency setting as an adjunctive treatment to standard of care for the relief of acute bronchoconstriction. After consent was obtained and screening completed, subjects were stimulated two times, 30 minutes apart, for 90 seconds each. Subjects were assessed prior to and immediately post the first stimulation and at 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes; follow was also conducted at day 7 and day 30.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Terminated
• Enrollment: 6
• Est. completion date: July 2012
• Est. primary completion date: May 2012
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 70 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Is between the ages of 18 and 70 years.

2. Has been admitted to an emergency care facility with a working diagnosis of bronchoconstriction due to asthma.

3. Has an FEV1<60% predicted.

4. Is available and willing to return for an office visit at 7 days and participate in a 30-day telephone call from time of discharge from the ED.

5. Is able to give written Informed Consent, or his/her legally authorized representative is available to give written Informed Consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Has a history of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other co-morbidity due to irreversible narrowing of the airways.

2. Is at risk of imminent respiratory collapse:

• Lung Function: FEV1 < 25% predicted

• Signs and symptoms of extreme respiratory distress at rest, such as accessory muscle use, chest retraction

• Consciousness State: Drowsy, confused

• Rapid deterioration in respiratory status (sudden change in respiratory rate, decrease in oxygen saturation, change in consciousness, etc).

3. Has an abscess or other infection or lesion (including lymphadenopathy) at the therapy head placement site.

4. Has known or suspected atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, carotid artery disease (e.g. bruits or history of TIA or CVA) or congestive heart failure (CHF).

5. Has suspected or confirmed sepsis.

6. Has a clinically significant irregular heart rate or rhythm.

7. Clinically significant changes in blood pressure or is receiving pressors to maintain blood pressure.

8. Is currently implanted with an electrical and/or neurostimulator device, including but not limited to cardiac pacemaker, vagal neurostimulator, deep brain stimulator, spinal stimulator, bone growth stimulator, or cochlear implant.

9. Has a history of carotid endarterectomy or vascular neck surgery on the right side.

10. Has been implanted with metal cervical spine hardware.

11. Has a condition that would interfere with VAS Dyspnea self-assessment.

12. Is pregnant.

13. Is participating in any other therapeutic clinical investigation or has participated in a clinical trial in the preceding 30 days.

14. Belongs to a vulnerable population or has any condition such that his or her ability to provide informed consent, comply with follow-up requirements, or provide self-assessments is compromised (e.g., homeless, developmentally disabled, prisoner).

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Asthma

Intervention

Device:
• AlphaCore System
Non-invasive neurostimulation of the vagus nerve

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
South Africa	Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital	Cape Town
South Africa	Kuilsriver Hospital	Kuils River	Cape Town
South Africa	Panorama Mediclinic	Panorama	Cape Town
South Africa	Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital	Pinelands	Cape Town
South Africa	Cape Gate Medi-Clinic Hospital	Stellenbosch	Cape Town

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
ElectroCore INC

Country where clinical trial is conducted

South Africa, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Number of Participants With Adverse Events	Subjects were assessed for adverse events for the duration of procedure. Subjects were also seen at 7 days and had a phone call at 30 days from the date of the stimulation procedure.	30 days
Secondary	Number of Participants With a Change in FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume at 1 Second) of 12% or More From Baseline to 30 Minutes	Improvement in FEV1 was defined as an increase of at least 12% compared with baseline (pre-first stimulation). The 30 minute measure was taken immediately after the second stimulation.; (FEV1 measured as a percentage of normal, where greater that 80% is normal and less than 40% is severe degree of obstruction.)	30 minutes
Secondary	Improvement in Dyspnea Score of at Least 1.5 Points From Baseline to 30 Minutes	Improvement in dyspnea was defined as at least 1.5 point decrease on a 10 point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) compared with baseline (pre-first stimulation). Where 0 = no dyspnea and 10 = very severe dyspnea. The 30 minute measure was taken immediately after the second stimulation.	30 minutes
Secondary	Time to Discharge From the Emergency Department	Time to discharge from the emergency department post stimulation	Duration of stay in emergency room - up to approximately 6 hours.
Secondary	Number of Participants With Requirement for Concomitant Medications	Requirement for concomitant medications. Medications administered in the emergency department pre and post stimulation	Duration of stay in emergency room, up to approximately 6 hours