Intravenous morphine versus intravenous paracetamol after cardiac surgery in neonates and infants: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Gerdien A. Zeilmaker-Roest*, Joost van Rosmalen, Monique van Dijk, Erik Koomen, Nicolaas J.G. Jansen, Martin C.J. Kneyber, Sofie Maebe, Greet van den Berghe, Dirk Vlasselaers, Ad J.J.C. Bogers, Dick Tibboel, Enno D. Wildschut

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Morphine is worldwide the analgesic of first choice after cardiac surgery in children. Morphine has unwanted hemodynamic and respiratory side effects. Therefore, post-cardiac surgery patients may potentially benefit from a non-opioid drug for pain relief. A previous study has shown that intravenous (IV) paracetamol is effective and opioid-sparing in children after major non-cardiac surgery. The aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that intermittent IV paracetamol administration in children after cardiac surgery will result in a reduction of at least 30% of the cumulative morphine requirement. Methods: This is a prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled trial at four level-3 pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) in the Netherlands and Belgium. Children who are 0-36months old will be randomly assigned to receive either intermittent IV paracetamol or continuous IV morphine up to 48h post-operatively. Morphine will be available as rescue medication for both groups. Validated pain and sedation assessment tools will be used to monitor patients. The sample size (n=208, 104 per arm) was calculated in order to detect a 30% reduction in morphine dose; two-sided significance level was 5% and power was 95%. Discussion: This study will focus on the reduction, or replacement, of morphine by IV paracetamol in children (0-36months old) after cardiac surgery. The results of this study will form the basis of a new pain management algorithm and will be implemented at the participating ICUs, resulting in an evidence-based guideline on post-operative pain after cardiac surgery in infants who are 0-36months old.

Original languageEnglish
Article number318
JournalTrials
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jun 2018

Keywords

  • Pain, Sedation, Opioids, Children, Intensive care, Cardiac surgery, PK, PD

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