Using electrical stimulation to confirm epidural catheter placement in laboring women
Electrical Epidural Stimulation Test for Confirmation of Epidural Catheter Placement in Labouring Women
This study tests if using electrical stimulation can help confirm the correct placement of epidural catheters for women in labor who want pain relief.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Stanford University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Palo Alto, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT04109365 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of the Electrical Epidural Stimulation Test (EST) to confirm the placement of epidural catheters in obstetric patients seeking pain relief during labor. The combined spinal-epidural technique is utilized to provide rapid analgesia, but the study aims to enhance this method by ensuring proper catheter placement through EST. The research focuses on women who are full-term and requesting epidural analgesia, assessing the safety and efficacy of this approach in a clinical setting.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are females aged 18 and older who are full-term pregnant and requesting epidural analgesia during labor.
Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to regional anesthesia or those with certain medical conditions, such as neurological disorders or implanted electronic devices, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the accuracy of epidural catheter placement, leading to better pain management for laboring women.
How similar studies have performed: While the EST technique has been previously described, this specific application in obstetric patients is novel and has not been extensively tested in similar studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Females, 18 years and older * American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II * Full-term pregnancy with request for epidural early in labour (i.e. Regular labor or C-Section) Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindication to regional anesthesia * Allergy or hypersensitivity to lidocaine, bupivacaine, or fentanyl * Use of sedatives or opioids * Abnormal vertebrae anatomy * Neurological disorder with lumbar involvement * Implanted electronic devices
Where this trial is running
Palo Alto, California
- Lucille Packard Children's Hospital — Palo Alto, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Chynna Villanueva, BS, RN
- Email: chynnav@stanford.edu
- Phone: 6504986346
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.