Biomarkers, Blood Pressure, BIS: Risk Stratification/Management of Patients at Cardiac Risk in Major...
HypotensionPostoperative Complications8 moreMajor adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are a leading cause of serious complications and death following major noncardiac surgery. The heart biomarkers brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high-sensitivity troponin I/T (hs-TnI/T), may aid in estimating the risk of surgery - low values may permit identifying patients at a very low risk of postoperative complications, potentially helping to avoid unnecessary tests and delays prior to surgery. Recent studies suggest that the manner in which an anesthetic is conducted may have an important impact on postoperative outcomes. The combination of low blood pressure (BP) and a deep level of anesthesia despite a low dose of anesthetic - also known as a "triple low" - has been linked to increased complications and death following surgery. However, it is unclear whether triple lows actually cause postoperative complications or whether they are merely an indicator of a sick patient, who is in general more likely to suffer from cardiovascular events in the near future. To answer this question, in this study patients will be randomly assigned to groups with lower and higher blood pressures, and the postoperative rates of major adverse cardiovascular events and of relevant increases in hs-TnI (a marker of cardiac injury) compared. Another important question is that of the optimal blood pressure target during surgery. Currently there are no established methods of tailoring blood pressure management to the individual patient. In the study the investigators will perform ambulatory 24h BP measurements prior to surgery to measure the patients' average BP during sleep. In the analysis of the study data, the investigators will try to determine the relationship of preoperative biomarker levels, intraoperative BP (both in relation to fixed targets and to the patient's own night-time BP) and of anesthetic depth with the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events after surgery.
Abdominal Compression Elastic Support (ACES)
Intradialytic HypotensionHemodialysis (HD) patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) experience higher rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality than do the general population and many populations with other chronic diseases. This exceptional risk is explained in part by known risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, and other uremia-related factors, including vascular calcification and stiffness, autonomic dysfunction, and a high burden of circulating inflammatory mediators. Recent studies suggest that blood pressure variability, especially intra-dialytic hypotension (IDH) is the most significant risk factor for these CV events. Studies have also shown that the use of IAB is capable of improving cardiovascular function for avoiding or minimizing the development of an orthostatic hypotensive episode (OHE) in patients with autonomic dysfunction, orthostatic hypotension (OH) in diabetes patients and children with orthostatic intolerance, and post-dialytic orthostatic hypotension (PDOH). The investigators propose a study to examine the use of an abdominal compression elastic support (ACES) to prevent the development of IDH in patients who are known to be prone to these episodes. The ultimate goal is to facilitate more effective and safer dialysis therapy. The ACES has a configuration that is similar to a back-support work belt or an inflatable abdominal band (IAB). All of these devices are wrapped around to compress the abdomen at the waist.
Assessment of the Implementation of the ResQGARD® Impedance Threshold Device by the San Antonio...
Acute HypotensionThis study is attached to a comprehensive quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) program conducted by the Office of the medical director, and is designed to contribute to generalizable knowledge to determine effectiveness and tolerability of an FDA approved Impedance Threshold Device (ITD) device in a large urban emergency medical service (EMS) system. The cohort will comprise a convenience sample of patients that are being treated by EMS for a hypotensive emergency.
Comparison of Colloid (20% Albumin) Versus Crystalloid (Plasmalyte) for Fluid Resuscitation in Cirrhotics...
Cirrhosis With SepsisConsecutive cirrhotics who present to emergency department of Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences with documented or suspected sepsis induced hypotension will be randomized to receive either human albumin infusion over 3 hours or plasmalyte as per requirement. At admission, all patients will undergo physical examination and baseline investigations to identify site of sepsis. The aim of study is to compare the efficacy of using 20% human albumin versus plasmalyte in resuscitation of the patient that is attainment of mean arterial pressure above 65 mm of Hg at three hour after intervention and sustenance of mean arterial pressure above 65 mm of Hg at 6th hour. The randomized patient will be administered 20% albumin (0.5-1.0 gm/kg) for 3 hours, or plasmalyte at the rate of 30ml/kg. After the intervention changes in MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure), lactate level, urine output, incidence of complications, duration of ventilator, ICU (Intensive Care Unit) stay and mortality after one week will be studied.
Effects of Phenylephrine on Cardiac Preload
Arterial HypotensionAnaesthesiaIn patients under general anesthesia, episodes of hypotension are often treated with phenylephrine. The effect of phenylephrine is conventionally attributed to afterload increase. The aim of the study is to describe the time course of the effects of phenylephrine on the cardiac preload and cardiac output, and to evaluate whether phenylephrine, as an exclusive alpha-mimetic, could be beneficial for preload optimisation.
Intravenous Norepinephrine for Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic HypertensionBackground: - Orthostatic hypotension is a fall in blood pressure when standing up. Normally, a reflex action of the automatic nervous system makes blood vessels tighten when people stand up. The nervous system releases the chemical norepinephrine, which tightens blood vessels and keeps blood pressure in check. In orthostatic hypotension, the nervous system does not release enough norepinephrine when a person stands up, which can cause fainting or falling. Researchers are interested in determining whether norepinephrine given as a drug by vein can help maintain blood pressure during changes in body position. Objectives: - To determine whether intravenous norepinephrine can maintain blood pressure in people with orthostatic hypotension. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension related to Parkinson's disease or pure autonomic failure. Design: This study will require a 2-day inpatient admission to the NIH Clinical Center. The first day will involve laboratory evaluation and the second day will involve testing with norepinephrine. The second day requires an overnight stay. Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, blood samples, and an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram. Participants who are on medications may be asked to taper or discontinue one or more medications for the purposes of this study. Participants may not take aspirin or any drugs that slow blood clotting for 7 days before study participation. Day 1: Participants will have a clear liquid breakfast, and will have a 1-hour baseline tilt table test to monitor blood flow, skin temperature, sweating, and blood pressure. Body temperature and breathing will also be monitored. Day 2: Participants will have a clear liquid breakfast, and will have a 2-hour tilt table test. Initial blood pressure readings will be taken, and an intravenous line will be placed. Participants will then receive norepinephrine or saline, followed by additional position changes of the tilt table to measure blood pressure differences before returning to the starting position. After about 10 minutes, the tilt table testing and infusion will be repeated with the other drug (saline or norepinephrine). Participants will be discharged 24 hours after the testing is complete.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Infusion in Human Sepsis
SepsisSeptic Shock2 moreThe major goal of this project is to determine whether intravenously infused ascorbic acid is safe for use as a viable therapeutic strategy in adult humans with sepsis.
Up-Down Determination of the ED90 of Phenylephrine for Hypotension Prophylaxis in Cesarean Delivery...
Spinal Induced Hypotension in Cesarean DeliveryThis study is designed to determine the ED90 for an infusion of phenylephrine to prevent spinal induced low blood pressure in parturients presenting for an elective cesarean delivery. The up-down methodology (UDM) is commonly used study method to determine the dose of a drug that causes the desired effect in over 90% of the subjects to whom it given. For example: the investigators want to know what is the best dose of phenylephrine (from a range of commonly used doses) to prevent a drop in blood pressure during cesarean delivery ninety times out of one hundred when it is given at that dose. The ED90 is the effective dose at which 90% of subjects will have a "positive" response to a phenylephrine infusion, i.e. no drop in blood pressure. The investigators hypothesize that the ED90 will be between 40 - 60 mcg/min. The primary outcome measure is the ED90 for phenylephrine infusions that prevents a drop in blood pressure in women undergoing cesarean delivery.
Study of the Fed-Fast Pharmocokinetics and Bioequivalance of 300mg Capsules of Droxidopa
Symptomatic Neurogenic Orthostatic HypotensionOne purpose of this study is to determine if taking droxidopa after eating will have an effect on how the body processes (absorbs and eliminates) the drug in healthy elderly subjects. Another purpose of this study is to see how the body processes (absorbs and eliminates) one 300mg capsule compared to three 100mg capsules. This study will also evaluate how well the body processes (absorbs and eliminates) and tolerates droxidopa when a 300 mg capsule is given 3 times a day for a total dose of 900 mg over the course of one day. Droxidopa is used to treat low blood pressure upon standing in patients with diseases of the nervous system, to prevent low blood pressure in patients with kidney disease during hemodialysis (removal of waste products of the blood), and to treat frozen gait (walking, stepping or running) and dizziness upon standing in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Clinical Study of Droxidopa in Patients With Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (NOH) (Droxi-304)...
Primary Autonomic FailureDopamine Beta Hydroxylase Deficiency2 moreSymptomatic NOH in patients with primary autonomic failure is thought to be a consequence of norepinephrine depletion leading to a diminished capacity to effect an appropriate cardiovascular response to an orthostatic challenge resulting in symptomatic cerebral-hypoperfusion. Droxidopa augments norepinephrine levels which should lead to improved cerebral perfusion following orthostatic challenge thereby reducing the symptoms of NOH. The present study will evaluate the long-term safety of droxidopa.