Title

IN Sub-Dissociative Ketamine vs IN Fentanyl
Randomized Controlled Trial of Intranasal Ketamine Compared to Intranasal Fentanyl for Analgesia in Children With Suspected, Isolated Extremity Fractures in the Pediatric Emergency Department
  • Phase

    Phase 2
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    87
This single center, randomized control, double blind trial will prospectively examine the feasibility of intranasal, sub-dissociative (IN) ketamine versus intranasal fentanyl for pain control in the pediatric emergency department setting. The investigators hypothesize that IN ketamine may provide a safe and effective alternative to IN fentanyl for children with suspected, isolated extremity fractures.

Eighty children ages 3-17 years with a suspected, isolated extremity fracture that requires analgesia will be randomized to receive IN ketamine or IN fentanyl upon presentation to the emergency department and will be followed for 2 hours for efficacy and 6 hours for safety.
Intranasal medications are commonly used in place of parenteral opioids in children. IN fentanyl is the most commonly used intranasal analgesic medication in the pediatric population with demonstrated safety and efficacy comparable to IV fentanyl and IV morphine. IN ketamine, at sub-dissociative doses, offers similar safety and efficacy to IN fentanyl and the additional advantage of potentially reducing the total use of opioid agents during the emergency department visit. Ketamine is easily stored and has a wide therapeutic window with an extremely low risk of cardiorespiratory complications. This study will compare the safety and efficacy of IN ketamine to IN fentanyl in children with suspected, isolated extremity fractures in the pediatric emergency department.

The primary aim of the study is to examine the feasibility of future protocol expansion. The investigators will conclude that additional studies are NOT feasible if the observed rate of side effects for ketamine that exceeds fentanyl by three-fold or event rate of 5% or more for ketamine-related SAEs. The primary aim of the study will compare the frequency of adverse events over 6-hours among children randomized to receive either intranasal sub-dissociative ketamine (IN ketamine) or intranasal fentanyl (IN fentanyl) for pain control in the emergency department. The exploratory aim of the study will compare the efficacy of intranasal ketamine to intranasal fentanyl as measured by a reduction in age appropriate pain scale scores over 2-hours. The secondary aim of the study will compare the total dose of opioid pain medication in morphine equivalents/kg/hour required during the ED evaluation of children with suspected, isolated extremity fractures after randomization and treatment with IN ketamine or IN fentanyl.

Eighty children ages 3-17 years with a suspected, isolated extremity fracture that requires analgesia will be randomized to receive IN ketamine or IN fentanyl upon presentation to the emergency department and will be followed for 2 hours for efficacy and 6 hours for safety.

All participants will be premedicated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen and baseline data, including pain level, will be collected. The trial consists of two treatment arms. (IN ketamine 1 mg/kg or IN fentanyl 1.5 mcg/kg). Randomization will follow a 1:1 ratio, with approximately 40 per group. Randomization will be stratified by ages 3-10 and 11-17. The participants will be assessed by a research coordinator for adverse events every 5 minutes using an adverse events checklist for the first fifteen minutes post study medication administration and every 30 minutes for the first two hours after drug administration. The vital signs and pain scale assessment will be repeated every 10 minutes for the first 30 minutes and then every 30 minutes for the first two hours after drug administration. A final assessment will be made 6 hours after the last dose of study drug or at discharge from the ED to assess for late side effects or adverse events. Study medication may be repeated times one at a reduced dose after 20 minutes when the full effects of the first dose are known. The decision to administer additional study medication (0.5 mg/kg ketamine or 0.75 mcg/kg fentanyl ) will at be at the discretion of the treating physician. Should a second dose of study medication be required, a new schedule of patient assessments will commence following the same schedule as for the first dose. Participant assessments will continue until the 2 hour endpoint is reached from the time of the last drug administration, with a final assessment at 6 hours after the last dose of study drug or at discharge from the ED to assess for late side effects or adverse events.
Study Started
Dec 31
2015
Primary Completion
Nov 30
2016
Study Completion
Nov 30
2016
Results Posted
Jul 26
2022
Last Update
Jul 26
2022

Drug ibuprofen or acetaminophen

10 mg/kg of ibuprofen or 15 mg/kg of acetaminophen will be given to participants prior to the randomized intervention

Drug ketamine

intranasal (IN) sub-dissociative ketamine (1mg/kg)

  • Other names: intranasal pain medication

Drug fentanyl

Intranasal (IN) fentanyl (1.5 micrograms/kg)

  • Other names: intranasal pain medication

ketamine Experimental

ketamine (1mg/kg)

fentanyl Active Comparator

fentanyl (1.5 micrograms/kg)

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

single suspected, isolated extremity fracture that requires analgesia

Exclusion Criteria:

GCS < 15 at ED presentation,
reported allergy or adverse reaction to ketamine or fentanyl,
pregnancy,
intoxication,
hypotension (less than 70 mmHg +2x age or less than 90 mm Hg for patients greater than 11 years of age)
weight > 70 kg
patients receiving opioid analgesia administered prior to arrival
multiply injured patients (injuries to multiple extremities)
aberrant nasal anatomy that precludes IN medications

Summary

Ketamine

Fentanyl

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term Ketamine Fentanyl

Primary Outcome: Number of Participants With Minor Side Effects and Significant Adverse Events

We will conclude that such a study is NOT feasible if we observe a rate of side effects for ketamine that exceeds fentanyl by three-fold or event rate of 5% or more for ketamine-related significant adverse events. Side effects are common events experienced by patients receiving ketamine or fentanyl that do not change outcomes for the patient but may affect the patient experience. A significant adverse event (SAE) includes any adverse event that begins after the short form consent has been completed that causes a threat to life, limb or an organ system, causes prolongation of hospitalization, or requires new medical or surgical treatment to correct.

Ketamine

Fentanyl

Secondary Outcome: Total Dose of Opioid Pain Medication in Morphine Equivalents/kg/Hour

Compare the total dose of opioid pain medication in morphine equivalents/kg/hour required during the ED evaluation of children with suspected forearm fractures after randomization and treatment with IN ketamine or IN fentanyl.

Ketamine

0.04
morphine equivalents/kg/hr (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 0.02 to 0.11

Fentanyl

0.05
morphine equivalents/kg/hr (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 0.04 to 0.08

Exploratory Outcome: Reduction in Age Appropriate Pain Scale Scores

Mean difference in the reduction of the pain scale scores at 20 minutes. Two commonly used, age appropriate and previously validated, pediatric pain assessment tools were used: FACES Pain Scale - Revised for children ages 4-10 and the Visual Analog Scale for children ages 11-17. The FACES Pain Scale - Revised is a self-reported measure of pain intensity developed for children with pain intensity represented by images of grimacing faces on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain). The Visual Analog Scale is a self-reported measure of pain intensity where patients mark their pain level on a 10 cm line that represents a continuum of no pain at 0 cm and worst pain at 10 cm. For analysis, pain scale data were merged and reported as values form 0 to 100. The minimum clinically significant reduction in pain was defined as a decrease of 20.

Ketamine

44.0
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 36

Fentanyl

35.0
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 29

Secondary Safety Outcome: Adverse Events Over 6 Hours

Compare the frequency of types of adverse events over 6-hours among children randomized to receive either intranasal sub-dissociative ketamine (IN ketamine) or intranasal fentanyl (IN fentanyl) for pain control in the emergency department.

Ketamine

Fentanyl

Total

87
Participants

Age, Customized

Race/Ethnicity, Customized

Region of Enrollment

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Ketamine

Fentanyl