Title

DASH After TBI Study: Decreasing Adrenergic or Sympathetic Hyperactivity After Traumatic Brain Injury
DASH After TBI Study: Decreasing Adrenergic or Sympathetic Hyperactivity After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial Using Propranolol and Clonidine
  • Phase

    Phase 2
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    48
The investigators intend to determine the effect of adrenergic blockade on 1) short-term physiology, behavior, and cognition and 2) long-term neuropsychological outcomes after severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

The primary hypothesis is that adrenergic blockade after severe TBI will be associated with increased ventilator-free days.
Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with sympathetic hyperactivity resulting in catecholamine excess, abnormal heart rate variability, agitation and sympathetic storms, deep white matter changes, and poor neuropsychological outcomes. Notably, persistent sympathetic hyperactivity after TBI results in higher days of mechanical ventilation and longer intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). While there are data describing limited portions of this response, the full spectrum of sympathetic hyperactivity after severe TBI has not been systemically described or methodically intervened upon.

We will perform a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial in a 100 patient cohort in which one group will receive centrally acting sympatholytic drugs, propranolol and clonidine, and the other group, placebo, within 48 hours of severe TBI. The length of therapy will be 7 days.

The primary question studied is whether ventilator-free days will be increased after therapy.

Secondary endpoints include plasma and urine catecholamine levels, heart rate and blood pressure variability, responses to autonomic cold pressor testing, assessments of coma, sedation, and agitation, sedative requirements, analgesic use, antipsychotic medication use, coma-free days, ventilator-free days, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay, and survival. Also, neuropsychological outcomes will be measured at ICU discharge, 3 months, and 12 months.

Interim Analysis: At approximately 50% targeted accrual, n=46 randomized subjects, an interim analysis will be performed with A Priori (planned) futility and efficacy rules, which are DSMB and IRB approved.
Study Started
Aug 31
2011
Primary Completion
Jan 31
2015
Study Completion
Dec 31
2016
Results Posted
Jun 08
2017
Last Update
Aug 17
2017

Drug Placebo

Placebo IV q6h and Per Tube q12, both for 7 days

Drug IV Propranolol and Per Tube Clonidine

1 mg IV q6h Propranolol and 0.1 mg Per Tube Clonidine, both for 7 days

Adrenergic Blockade Experimental

Propranolol and Clonidine

Placebo Placebo Comparator

Placebo

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Age: 16 years to 64 years
Glasgow Coma Scale score less than or equal to 8 (Severe TBI) with injury on CT
Screen within 24 hours of injury

Exclusion Criteria:

Pre-existing heart disease (i.e. coronary heart disease)
Pre-existing cardiac dysrhythmia
Allergy to study drugs
Penetrating brain injury
Pre-existing brain dysfunction (i.e. prior severe TBI, debilitating stroke)
Impending brain herniation (i.e. loss of bilateral corneal reflexes)
Craniectomy or craniotomy
Spinal cord injury
Myocardial injury
Severe liver disease
Current use of beta-blockers and/or alpha-2-agonist
Withdrawal of care expected in 24 hours
Prisoners
Pregnant women
Unable to follow-up through final visit

Summary

Adrenergic Blockade

Placebo

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term

Ventilator-free Days

Adrenergic Blockade

16.2
days (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 5.5 to 20.1

Placebo

18.05
days (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 0.075 to 20.45

Plasma Norepinephrine Levels

Adrenergic Blockade

962.0
pg/mL (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 508.0 to 1471.0

Placebo

714.0
pg/mL (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 391.0 to 1257.0

Total

47
Participants

Age, Continuous

25
years (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 19.0 to 34.0

Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)

Race (NIH/OMB)

Region of Enrollment

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Adrenergic Blockade

Placebo