Controlling Hyperadrenergic Activity in Neurologic Injury (CHAIN)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01343329
• Recruitment Status: Withdrawn
• First Posted: April 28, 2011
• Last Update Posted: April 20, 2017
• Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Wendy Ziai, Johns Hopkins University

Study Description

Brief Summary:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently associated with a hyperadrenergic state accompanied by elevated levels of plasma catecholamines. In its more severe presentation, the hyperadrenergic state presents as dysautonomia, which is characterized by paroxysmal alteration in vital signs, including tachycardia. The investigators hypothesize that intravenous (IV) esmolol is as effective at controlling heart rate in hyperadrenergic states as oral propranolol, which is the standard of care. Our primary endpoint is efficacy of IV esmolol vs a PRN regimen of intermittent B-blockade in controlling heart rate below a pre-specified level (< 100 bpm) after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or hemorrhagic neurologic injury. Heart rates will be recorded continuously as well as hourly.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Traumatic Brain Injury; Dysautonomia	Drug: Esmolol; Drug: Propranolol	Phase 1; Phase 2

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 0 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: Controlling Hyperadrenergic Activity in Neurologic Injury
• Actual Study Start Date: July 2011
• Actual Primary Completion Date: February 14, 2014
• Actual Study Completion Date: February 14, 2014

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Subjects Receiving Esmolol; The Esmolol arm is defined as a 48-hour intravenous infusion of esmolol (Brevibloc 20mg/ml), which will be started on enrollment.	Drug: Esmolol; The Esmolol arm is defined as a 48-hour intravenous infusion of esmolol (Brevibloc 20mg/ml), which will be started on enrollment. The infusion rate will begin at 50 micrograms/kg/min and be adjusted to achieve heart rates between 80 and 100 beats/min with standard dosing regimens used in our Neuro intensive care unit. The infusion will be started at a rate of 0.05 milligrams/kg/min (50 micrograms/kg/min) for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes of initial infusion, maintenance infusion may be continued at 0.05 mg/kg/min or increased stepwise (e.g. 0.1 mg/kg/min, 0.15 mg/kg/min to a maximum of 0.2 mg/kg/min) with each step being maintained for 4 or more minutes until the target heart rate is achieved.; Other Name: Brevibloc
Active Comparator: Subjects receiving Propranolol; The comparison arm will be comprised of oral propranolol, starting with 20mg PO every 6 hours prn (as needed) to reduce heart rate into target range. If 20mg is ineffective, the dose will be doubled at each dosing interval until an adequate dose is found, not to exceed 120mg four times daily. (ex: 20mg, 40mg, 80mg, 120mg)	Drug: Propranolol; The comparison arm will be comprised of oral propranolol, starting with 20mg PO every 6 hours prn (as needed) to reduce heart rate into target range. If 20mg is ineffective, the dose will be doubled at each dosing interval until an adequate dose is found, not to exceed 120mg four times daily. (ex: 20mg, 40mg, 80mg, 120mg); Other Name: Inderal

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Controlling heart rate in traumatic brain injured patients [ Time Frame: 72 hrs ]
   Once the patient is randomized and start getting the study medication, we monitor heart rate and other vital signs for 72hrs

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years to 100 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• TBI (Moderate/Severe TBI (GCS 12 or Head AIS>1) or hemorrhagic neurologic injury
• Hyperadrenergic Activity: At least one paroxysmal episode (lasting at least 15 minutes) of Heart Rate 110 beats per minute during two or more consecutive days plus at least two more of the following that may not be better explained by another disease process (ex: sepsis):

Temperature of 38.5C Respiratory Rate 20 breaths per minute Agitation Diaphoresis Dystonia Stimulus responsive ("triggering of paroxysm")

- Informed Consent obtained

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients that do not meet criteria for dysautonomia (as stated above)
• Age <18 years
• Pregnancy
• Hypotension - requiring pressor therapy to maintain baseline adequate CPP or mean arterial pressure
• Cardiac arrhythmia - sinus bradycardia (HR <60), 2nd or 3rd degree AV block
• Hemodynamic contraindications to intravenous beta-blockade such as a documented history of congestive heart failure (CHF), dependency on cardiac inotropes or documented bronchospastic disease
• Any patient on chronic beta blockade as an outpatient.
• Life expectancy < 48 hours or patients with "do not resuscitate orders"
• Ongoing seizure activity
• Informed consent not obtained

Contacts and Locations

Locations

United States, Maryland

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287

Sponsors and Collaborators

Johns Hopkins University

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Wendy Ziai, MD; Johns Hopkins University

More Information

Additional Information:

Main website for Johns Hopkins Hospital 

Publications:

Hortnagl H, Hammerle AF, Hackl JM, Brucke T, Rumpl E, Hortnagl H. The activity of the sympathetic nervous system following severe head injury. Intensive Care Med. 1980 May;6(3):169--7. doi: 10.1007/BF01757299.

Baguley IJ. Autonomic complications following central nervous system injury. Semin Neurol. 2008 Nov;28(5):716-25. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1105971. Epub 2008 Dec 29.

Fernandez-Ortega JF, Prieto-Palomino MA, Munoz-Lopez A, Lebron-Gallardo M, Cabrera-Ortiz H, Quesada-Garcia G. Prognostic influence and computed tomography findings in dysautonomic crises after traumatic brain injury. J Trauma. 2006 Nov;61(5):1129-33. doi: 10.1097/01.ta.0000197634.83217.80.

Cotton BA, Snodgrass KB, Fleming SB, Carpenter RO, Kemp CD, Arbogast PG, Morris JA Jr. Beta-blocker exposure is associated with improved survival after severe traumatic brain injury. J Trauma. 2007 Jan;62(1):26-33; discussion 33-5. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e31802d02d0.

Baguley IJ, Heriseanu RE, Felmingham KL, Cameron ID. Dysautonomia and heart rate variability following severe traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj. 2006 Apr;20(4):437-44. doi: 10.1080/02699050600664715.

Meythaler JM, Stinson AM 3rd. Fever of central origin in traumatic brain injury controlled with propranolol. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1994 Jul;75(7):816-8.

Chiolero RL, Breitenstein E, Thorin D, Christin L, de Tribolet N, Freeman J, Jequier E, Schutz Y. Effects of propranolol on resting metabolic rate after severe head injury. Crit Care Med. 1989 Apr;17(4):328-34. doi: 10.1097/00003246-198904000-00006.

Pranzatelli MR, Pavlakis SG, Gould RJ, De Vivo DC. Hypothalamic-midbrain dysregulation syndrome: hypertension, hyperthermia, hyperventilation, and decerebration. J Child Neurol. 1991 Apr;6(2):115-22. doi: 10.1177/088307389100600204.

Silver JK, Lux WE. Early onset dystonia following traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1994 Aug;75(8):885-8. doi: 10.1016/0003-9993(94)90113-9.

Cuny E, Richer E, Castel JP. Dysautonomia syndrome in the acute recovery phase after traumatic brain injury: relief with intrathecal Baclofen therapy. Brain Inj. 2001 Oct;15(10):917-25. doi: 10.1080/02699050110065277.

Chen JM, Heran BS, Perez MI, Wright JM. Blood pressure lowering efficacy of beta-blockers as second-line therapy for primary hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20;(1):CD007185. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007185.pub2.

Harwood TN, Butterworth J, Prielipp RC, Royster RL, Hansen K, Plonk G, Dean R. The safety and effectiveness of esmolol in the perioperative period in patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1999 Oct;13(5):555-61. doi: 10.1016/s1053-0770(99)90007-1.

• Responsible Party: Wendy Ziai, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01343329
• Other Study ID Numbers: NA_00043058
• First Posted: April 28, 2011
• Last Update Posted: April 20, 2017
• Last Verified: April 2017

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: No

Keywords provided by Wendy Ziai, Johns Hopkins University:

Traumatic Brain Injury; Dysautonomia; Brain Injury; Sympathetic hyperactivity

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Brain Injuries; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Primary Dysautonomias; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Craniocerebral Trauma; Trauma, Nervous System; Propranolol; Esmolol; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adrenergic Antagonists; Adrenergic Agents; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Antihypertensive Agents; Vasodilator Agents; Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists