Continuous vs Intermittent Ketorolac for Pain Control in Peds CV Surgery

Continuous Infusion Versus Intermittent Ketorolac for Postoperative Pain Control in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Patients

The proposed study will be a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial to compare the use of a continuous infusion versus intermittent ketorolac on postoperative patients in the pediatric cardiovascular ICU. We intend to determine if the continuous infusion leads to a decreased utilization of opiates when compared to intermittent ketorolac.

The mainstay of postoperative pain control in the CVICU remains opiate-based therapy. Reliance on this class of medications can be detrimental, contributing to complications including hemodynamic instability, dependency, and withdrawal which can ultimately lead to longer hospital admissions, as well as long term and persistent neurodevelopmental effects. In addition, the opioid crisis has driven practitioners to aim for methods to reduce opioid exposure and post-operative narcotic prescriptions in pediatric and adult patients alike. There is a growing body of evidence in the adult literature showing promising results with the use of a continuous infusion of ketorolac in postoperative patients, including in a pediatric population. What the current literature has failed to show is whether a continuous infusion of ketorolac post operatively decreases the use of opiate mediations in a pediatric population compared to intermittent bolus injections, which is the current standard of care. Given the sensitivity and fragility inherent in those patients with CHD, working to reduce deleterious effects from excessive and prolonged opiate exposure is imperative. This study aims to examine whether the use of a continuous infusion of ketorolac can reduce the amount of opiates needed to treat postoperative pain control in the pediatric CVICU population, in comparison to patients who receive intermittent ketorolac within the first 96 hours post-operatively.

Description: Patients randomized for the treatment arm of the study group will receive a continuous infusion of ketorolac plus an intermittent dose of placebo (plasmalyte). To eliminate excess exposure and the associated side effects, all patients enrolled in the study will not be given any additional NSAIDs (except aspirin, which is standard of care in many post-operative cardiac surgery patients) during the study period. Dosage and Route of Administration: Continuous ketorolac 0.08mg/kg/hr, with a maximum of 5mg/hr for patients weighing greater than or equal to 60kg, administered intravenously by nursing staff. Study drug will infuse continuously for 48 hours. Intermittent Plasmalyte 0.033mL/kg (max 2mL) infusion every 6 hours for 48 hours.

Description: Patients randomized to the standard of care arm of the study will receive a generically marked syringe of Plasmalyte to be infused at the same rate as the treatment medication, and will only receive intermittent dosing of ketorolac (current standard of care). As in the treatment group, no additional NSAIDs (except aspirin) are to be given during the 48 hour study period. Dosage and Route of Administration Continuous Plasmalyte infusion to match the aforementioned ketorolac dosing Intermittent ketorolac 0.5mg/kg IV infusion every 6 hours (max 30mg per dose)

Patients randomized for the treatment arm of the study group will receive a continuous infusion of ketorolac plus an intermittent dose of placebo (plasmalyte) for 48 hours.

The total opioid receipt (converted to fentanyl equivalents) administered to patients enrolled in the study within the first 96 hours after cardiac surgery.

1. Total fentanyl equivalents received in each 24 hour period before and after initiating the study drug

The total opioid receipt (converted to fentanyl equivalents) administered to patients enrolled in the study within each 24 hour period after cardiac surgery (up to 96 hours post-operatively).

Hemoglobin decrease > 2 g/dL, requirement of 2 or more units of PRBC's/whole blood, or development of symptomatic/clinically evident bleeding in any organ or compartment

FLACC scores (face, legs, activity, cry, consolability): score of 0-10 (10 being most severe pain, 0 being least severe). 0 = relaxed/comfortable, 1-3 = mild discomfort, 4-6 = moderate pain, 7-10 = severe discomfort or pain or both

Inclusion Criteria: All patients aged 3 months to 4 years admitted post operatively to the CVICU during the 12 month time period during which the study will be ongoing Initiation of study medication within the first 48 hours post-operatively Exclusion Criteria: Patients that have acute kidney injury, as defined by pRIFLE criteria. History of allergy or sensitivity reaction to ketorolac or any NSAID medications. Requiring mechanical circulatory support (ECMO) or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) within the first 48 hours post-operatively Orthotopic heart transplantation Clinically significant bleeding

Onaka T, Yagi K. Differential effects of naloxone on neuroendocrine responses to fear-related emotional stress. Exp Brain Res. 1990;81(1):53-8. doi: 10.1007/BF00230100.

Burd RS, Tobias JD. Ketorolac for pain management after abdominal surgical procedures in infants. South Med J. 2002 Mar;95(3):331-3.

Burns JW, Aitken HA, Bullingham RE, McArdle CS, Kenny GN. Double-blind comparison of the morphine sparing effect of continuous and intermittent i.m. administration of ketorolac. Br J Anaesth. 1991 Sep;67(3):235-8. doi: 10.1093/bja/67.3.235.

Cohen MN, Christians U, Henthorn T, Vu Tran Z, Moll V, Zuk J, Galinkin J. Pharmacokinetics of single-dose intravenous ketorolac in infants aged 2-11 months. Anesth Analg. 2011 Mar;112(3):655-60. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3182075d04. Epub 2011 Jan 13.

Dawkins TN, Barclay CA, Gardiner RL, Krawczeski CD. Safety of intravenous use of ketorolac in infants following cardiothoracic surgery. Cardiol Young. 2009 Feb;19(1):105-8. doi: 10.1017/S1047951109003527. Epub 2009 Jan 12.

Grimsby GM, Conley SP, Trentman TL, Castle EP, Andrews PE, Mihalik LA, Hentz JG, Humphreys MR. A double-blind randomized controlled trial of continuous intravenous Ketorolac vs placebo for adjuvant pain control after renal surgery. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 Nov;87(11):1089-97. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.07.018. Epub 2012 Oct 8.

Gupta A, Daggett C, Drant S, Rivero N, Lewis A. Prospective randomized trial of ketorolac after congenital heart surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2004 Aug;18(4):454-7. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2004.05.024.

Howard ML, Isaacs AN, Nisly SA. Continuous Infusion Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for Perioperative Pain Management. J Pharm Pract. 2018 Feb;31(1):66-81. doi: 10.1177/0897190016665539. Epub 2016 Aug 31.

Britton J, Martinez FD. The relationship of childhood respiratory infection to growth and decline in lung function. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1996 Dec;154(6 Pt 2):S240-5. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm/154.6_Pt_2.S240. No abstract available.

Inoue M, Caldarone CA, Frndova H, Cox PN, Ito S, Taddio A, Guerguerian AM. Safety and efficacy of ketorolac in children after cardiac surgery. Intensive Care Med. 2009 Sep;35(9):1584-92. doi: 10.1007/s00134-009-1541-1. Epub 2009 Jun 27.

Jalkut MK. Ketorolac as an analgesic agent for infants and children after cardiac surgery: safety profile and appropriate patient selection. AACN Adv Crit Care. 2014 Jan-Mar;25(1):23-30; quiz 31-2. doi: 10.1097/NCI.0000000000000002.

Moffett BS, Wann TI, Carberry KE, Mott AR. Safety of ketorolac in neonates and infants after cardiac surgery. Paediatr Anaesth. 2006 Apr;16(4):424-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9592.2005.01806.x.