Dexmedetomidine-esketamine for Percutaneous Radiofrequency Liver Ablation
China88 participantsStarted 2023-10-16
Plain-language summary
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is a commonly treatment for patients with liver cancer that cannot be surgically resected. During the procedure, patients need to keep awake and cooperate with the procedure, including deep breath and hold breath. However, intolerable pain generated during puncture and radiofrequency heating may cause body movements and interfere the procedure. Oxycodone is frequently used for analgesia but still insufficient. A recent study showed that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination improves analgesia without increasing adverse events. After stopping infusion, the analgesic/sleep-promoting effects of dexmedetomidine-esketamine seemed to last for up to 24 hours.
The investigators hypothesize that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination as a supplement to oxycodone will improve sedation and analgesia in patients undergoing radiofrequency liver ablation of the liver.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 85 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
. Aged ≥18 years but ≤85 years.
. Scheduled for elective ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for primary or metastatic liver cancer.
Exclusion criteria
. Refused to participate.
. Diagnosed schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, or myasthenia gravis before surgery.
. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<30%, or those with sick sinus syndrome, sinus bradycardia (heart rate \<50 beats per minute), or atrioventricular block at grade II or above without pacemaker.
. Diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or judged to be at high-risk of moderate-to-severe OSA before surgery.
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
Area under curve of Numerical Rating Scale of pain during and within 24 hours after surgery.
Timeframe: During and within 24 hours after surgery.
. Severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh grade C), severe renal dysfunction (dialysis before surgery), or classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade \>III before surgery.
. Inability to communicate due to coma, severe dementia, or language barrier before surgery.
. Allergy to any drug used during the study, or other conditions that are considered unsuitable for study participation.