Carbon Dioxide Levels for Anesthesia in Children

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byChristopher A Chin, MBBS, FRCA, FRCP, MA

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a by-product of metabolism and is removed from the body when we breathe out. High levels of CO2 can affect the nervous system and cause us to be sleepy or sedated. Research suggests that high levels of CO2 may benefit patients who are asleep under anesthesia, such as by reducing infection rates, nausea, or recovery from anesthesia . CO2 may also reduce pain signals or the medication required to keep patients asleep during anesthesia; this has not been researched in children. During general anesthesia, anesthesiologists keep patients asleep with anesthetic gases or by giving medications into a vein. These drugs can depress breathing; therefore, an anesthesiologist will control breathing (ventilation) with an artificial airway such as an endotracheal tube. Changes in ventilation can alter the amount of CO2 removed from the body. The anesthesiologist may also monitor a patient's level of consciousness using a 'Depth of Anesthesia Monitor' such as the Bispectral Index (BIS), which analyzes a patient's brain activity and generates a number to tell the anesthesiologist how asleep they are. The investigator's study will test if different levels of CO2 during intravenous anesthesia are linked with different levels of sedation or sleepiness in children, as measured by BIS. If so, this could reduce the amount of anesthetic medication the child receives. Other benefits may be decreased medication costs, fewer side effects, and a positive environmental impact by using less disposable anesthesia equipment.

Research Team

Christopher A Chin, MBBS, FRCA, FRCP, MA

Principal Investigator

University of British Columbia

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 3-11 years who need anesthesia for non-painful or minimally painful procedures, like certain ear surgeries or dental work with local anesthetics. They should be generally healthy (ASA status I and II) and the procedure should last at least 90 minutes to allow time for testing.

Inclusion Criteria

My child is 3-11 years old and will have a minor surgery or procedure without major cuts.

I am on a breathing machine through a tube in my windpipe.

I am in good or mild systemic disease condition according to ASA standards.

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Treatment Details

Interventions

End Tidal Carbon Dioxide Concentration Monitoring (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study tests how different CO2 levels during anesthesia affect sleepiness in children, using a BIS monitor that measures brain activity. It compares normal CO2 levels (40 mmHg), high normal levels (50 mmHg), and low normal levels (30 mmHg) to see if they can reduce the amount of anesthetic needed.

Participant Groups

6Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Normal ETCO2, Low normal ETCO2, High normal ETCO2Experimental Treatment3 Interventions

All patients will receive same interventions, in a randomised order.

Group II: Normal ETCO2, High normal ETCO2, Low normal ETCO2Experimental Treatment3 Interventions

All patients will receive same interventions, in a randomised order.

Group III: Low normal ETCO2, Normal ETCO2, High normal ETCO2Experimental Treatment3 Interventions

All patients will receive same interventions, in a randomised order.

Group IV: Low normal ETCO2, High normal ETCO2, Normal ETCO2Experimental Treatment3 Interventions

All patients will receive same interventions, in a randomised order.

Group V: High normal ETCO2, Normal ETCO2, Low normal ETCO2Experimental Treatment3 Interventions