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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00094887

Nitric Oxide Inhalation to Treat Sickle Cell Pain Crises

This study will examine whether nitric oxide (NO) gas can reduce the time it takes for pain to go away in patients who are in sickle cell crisis. NO is important in regulating blood vessel dilation, and consequently, blood flow. The gas is continuously produced by cells that line the blood vessels. It is also transported from the lungs by hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Patients 10 years of age or older with sickle cell disease (known SS, S-beta-thalassemia or other blood problems causing sickle cell disease) may be eligible for this study. Patients whose disease is due to hemoglobin (Hgb) SC are excluded. Candidates are screened with blood tests and a chest x-ray to look at the lungs and heart.

Participants are admitted to the hospital in a pain crisis. They are evaluated and then randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments: 1) standard treatment plus NO, or 2) standard treatment plus placebo. The placebo used in this study is nitrogen, a gas that makes up most of the air we breathe and is not known to help in sickle cell disease.

For the first 8 hours of the study, patients receive placebo or NO through a facemask. The mask may be taken off for 5 minutes every hour and for not more than 20 minutes to eat a meal. After the first 8 hours, the gas is delivered through a nasal cannula (small plastic tubing that rests under the nose) that may be taken off only while showering or using the restroom. Patients are questioned about the severity of their pain when they start the study and then every few hours while they are in the hospital. Their vital signs (temperature, breathing rate, and blood pressure) and medicines are checked. Patients will breathe the gas for a maximum of 3 days, but will stay hospitalized until the patient feels well enough to go home. Patients are followed up about 1 month after starting the study by a return visit to the hospital or by a phone call.

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Key information

Conditions

Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Genetic Diseases, Inborn Hematologic Diseases Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Hemoglobinopathies Vaso-Occlusive Crises

Age range

10 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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About this study

The object of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of nitric oxide for inhalation in the treatment of vaso-occlusive pain crisis (VOC) in patients with sickle cell disease. The study population will include patients with sickle cell disease (SS, S-beta-Thalassemia) presenting with vaso-occlusive pain crisis. Patients will be administered either placebo or inhaled nitric oxide to see if the experimental agent, inhaled nitric oxide, can reduce the time it takes for resolution of the vaso-occlusive crisis.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Each subject must meet all of the following inclusion criteria during the screening process in order to participate in the study:

  • Patient must have a diagnosis of SCD (known SS, S-Beta-thalassemia or other hemoglobinopathies causing sickle cell disease). Patients with disease due to Hgb SC are not permitted.
  • Must present to the ED/EC or other appropriate unit in VOC.
  • Greater than or equal to 10 years old.
  • Written informed consent/assent has been obtained.

Exclusion criteria

Subjects meeting any of the following criteria during baseline evaluation will be excluded from entry into the study:

  • Exposure to therapeutic nitric oxide within the past 12 hours.
  • Patient has received sildenafil or other phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, therapeutic L-arginine, nitroprusside or nitroglycerine within the past 12 hours.
  • Patient has received previous ED/EC or other appropriate unit treatment for a vaso-occlusive crisis less than 48 hours or hospitalization less than 14 days ago (patients transferred directly from another ED or clinic may be enrolled).
  • Patient has visited the ED/EC or other appropriate unit greater than 10 times in the past year having a vaso-occlusive crisis.
  • Patients presenting with clinically diagnosed bacterial infection (e.g., osteomyelitis, pneumonia, sepsis or meningitis).
  • Patients who are currently enrolled in any other investigational drug study except for hydroxyurea studies.
  • Pregnant women (urine HCG + )/ nursing mothers.
  • Patients who have received an exchange transfusion (not simple transfusion) in the last 30 days or are on a chronic simple or exchange transfusion program.
  • Suspected splenic sequestration.
  • Acute chest syndrome or pneumonia: Abnormal new pulmonary infiltrate (alveolar infiltration and not atelectasis) and one or more pulmonary signs and/or symptoms (fever, rales, wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, retractions).
  • Previous participation in this study.

Treatment and study plan

nitric oxide

Drug

Nitric oxide will be delivered for 4 hours at 80 ppm through a face mask. The dose will then be reduced to 40 ppm for 4 hours. After a total of 8 hours of treatment through face mask, the patient will get 6 mL/puls/breath of NO at 800 ppm or 3 m//pulse/breath, depending on patient weight.

Other names: INOmax

Placebo

Drug

Nitrogen gas will be delivered in the same manor as the experimental drug.

Primary outcomes

  1. Time to Vaso-occlusive Pain Crisis (VOC) Resolution

    Time frame: within 30 days

    VOC resolution was defined by all of the following conditions:

    • Pain relief - Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores of 6 or less, (6 as worst and 0 as best)
    • Freedom from parenteral narcotic use,
    • Ability to walk unless the subject was not able to walk for any reason other than acute VOC prior to the onset of crisis,
    • Subject and/or family's belief that the painful crisis could be managed at home with or without oral analgesic use, and the physician concurred with that assessment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Length of Hospitalization

    Time frame: within 40 days

    Length of hospitalization is defined as the length of time from admission to discharge order

  2. Number of Participants Discharged to Home Within the First 24 Hours

    Time frame: within 24 hours

  3. Total Dose of Opioids Received

    Time frame: within 8 hours and within 40 days

    The total dose (mg) of opioid medications received during the trial

  4. Number of Participants With Acute Chest Syndrome/Pneumonia Requiring Blood Transfusion

    Time frame: within 40 days

    Number of participants who required a blood transfusion before discharge because of acute chest syndrome/pneumonia

  5. Number of Participants Readmitted to Hospital Within 30 Days After Discharge

    Time frame: during first 24 hours and during 30 day follow-up

    The number of participants readmitted to the hospital for any reason within 30 days after discharge

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mallinckrodt

Industry

Collaborators

  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Registry information

Official study title

A Prospective, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of Nitric Oxide for Inhalation in the Acute Treatment of Sickle Cell Pain Crisis

Important dates

Study start
2004
Primary completion
2008
Study completion
2008
First posted
Oct 28, 2004
Registry last updated
Feb 5, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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