Effectiveness of IV Acetaminophen and IV Ibuprofen in Reducing Post Procedural Pain in the UFE Procedure

A prospective, double blind, randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of two new IV medications, IV ibuprofen and IV acetaminophen, on standard of care pain and anti-emetic management in Uterine Fibroid Embolization patients.

• Four arm, double blind, randomized controlled study: all patients will receive standard of care baseline pain medications, including IV midazolam, fentanyl and hydromorphone during the procedure, followed by a hydromorphone PCA infusion pump during their recovery. The four arms will include an IV ibuprofen/IV placebo, an IV acetaminophen/IV placebo, an IV ibuprofen/IV acetaminophen, and a control arm (IV placebo/IV placebo). The same amount of normal saline will be substituted for the experimental treatments if the patient receives the placebo. These medications will be given during the procedure and extended over a 24 hour recovery period. The medications given will be blinded to the patient, the administrator, and the surveyor.
• The placebo/placebo arm would replicate current standard of care, and therefore include IV push (IVP) ketorolac, which would be given at the end of the procedure and be continued for 24 hours at q6hour dosing. An IVP of saline would be given as a control for 24 hours at q6hour dosing to the other three arms.
• Dosage of medications will be standardized based on formulary indications: IV Ketorolac 30 mg/dose IVP, acetaminophen 1 gram/dose IV piggy back over 15 minutes every 6 hours, ibuprofen 800 mg/dose IV piggy back over 30 minutes every 6 hours.
• Variables measured: mean and maximum pain (VAS score at 0 hours, 6 hours, discharge and 2 weeks post procedure), opioid requirements, mean and maximum nausea (VAS score at 0 hours, 6 hours, discharge and 2 weeks post procedure), anti-emetic medication requirements.

Weighted sum of pain intensity differences, with pain intensity measured on VAS over 24 hours (SPID24) will be used as a primary outcome. Satisfaction scores will be measured at 24 hours using the validated APS-POQ-R questionnaire (6).

• Other variables recorded: Age, height, weight, history of postoperative nausea and vomiting or motion sickness, diagnosis, uterine volume, dominant fibroid size, arteries embolized, presence of prominent ovarian arteries, volume of particle used, fluoroscopy time for the procedure.
• Technical parameters, which would remain constant, include: pre procedure and 6 month follow up MRI contrast with gadolinium which is standard of care, embolization using 500-700 micron Embospheres (with limited use of 700-900 micron Embospheres), IV hydration with 0.9% normal saline, antibiotics (IV ciprofloxacin 400 mg every 12 hours, IV metronidazole 500 mg every six hours), urinary catheter placement, lower extremity compression devices, and early ambulation.
• In the interim analysis, the investigators will have 40 subjects in total with unequal randomization ratio of 1:1:4:4. Additional subjects will be enrolled for a total of 35 subjects per arm for the final analysis (sum total N=140)

Inclusion criteria

• Patients being considered for UFE including bleeding and/or bulk symptoms.
• Women of all ethnicities
• Ages 21-60

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with current malignancy receiving treatment
• Women who are pregnant
• Cognitive impairment
• Clinically significant kidney disease
• Clinically significant liver disease
• Any recent history of gastrointestinal bleed or ulcer
• Weight less than 50 kg (medication dosing requirements change below 50 kg)
• Women with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or over 50 (with other co-morbidities)
• Known allergy or hypersensitivity to NSAID or acetaminophen
• Administration of acetaminophen, NSAID, narcotic or any other analgesic less than 6 hours prior to UFE procedure
• Any chronic use of pain medications including acetaminophen, NSAID, narcotic or analgesic
• Patients who cannot or choose not to consent to participate in the study