Real-time Ultrasound Guidance for Thoracic Epidural Blocks
Stopped: COVID pandemic
Chile0Started 2027-07
Plain-language summary
Various modalities have been proposed for real-time confirmation of loss of resistance (LOR) for thoracic epidural blocks. With real-time ultrasound (US) guidance, the anesthesiologist attempts to visualize the sonographic advancement of the epidural needle and penetration of the epidural space (as detected by LOR)
This observational study is set out to confirm the reliability of real-time ultrasound guidance as an adjunct to LOR for thoracic epidural blocks.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 18 and 80 years
* American Society of Anesthesiologists classification 1-3
* Body mass index between 20 and 35 (kg/m2)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Adults who are unable to give their own consent
* Sepsis (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work up i.e. leukocytosis, increased c-reactive protein, increased procalcitonin)
* Coagulopathy (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work up i.e. platelets ≤ 100, International Normalized Ratio ≥ 1.4 or prothrombin time ≥ 50)
* Allergy to local anesthetics (LAs)
* Prior surgery in the thoracic spine
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Percentage of successful epidural blocks after US-guided insertion of epidural catheters
Timeframe: 15 minutes after the local anesthetic injection through the epidural catheter