Systematic Clonidine for Epidural Analgesia in Labour

Labour Clinical Trial

Official title: Effects of a Systematic Addition of Clonidine in the Local Anaesthetic and Opiate Solution for Epidural Patient Controlled Analgesia in Labour (Levobupivacaine 0.568 mg.mLl-1 + Sufentanil 0.45 µg.mL-1)

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

In a prospective randomised study involving primiparous women in spontaneous uncomplicated labour with cervical dilatation < 5 cm, epidural analgesia will be given with an initial volume of 20 mL anaesthetic solution, followed by a standardised algorithm of top-up manual injections to achieve analgesia, then by a patient-controlled regimen with 5-mL self-administered boli in addition to a continuous infusion of 5 mL.hr-1. The anaesthetic solution will be levobupivacaine presented in 100-mL bags from the market (0.0625%), in which 10 mL (50 g) of sufentanil will be added, as well as clonidine (150 µg) in one arm. The final concentration of clonidine in this arm will be 1.35 mg.mL-1. Parturients and midwifes assessing pain during labour will be blinded to the design.

Clinical Trial Description

We recently compared the analgesic effects of the two presentations of levobupivacaine available on the French market, (0.625 and 1.25 mg.mL-1 in pre-filled bags), both with sufentanil. It appeared that the high concentration was more powerful, however leading in some cases to give doses of levobupivacaine superior to the label's recommendations. This indicates to use the low concentration, with a risk of a poorer efficacy. Our aim is to show that efficacy can be restored with a systematic addition of clonidine, which has documented analgesic properties when administered perispinally. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Labour

• NCT number: NCT00983125
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: August 2009
• Completion date: March 2010