Atropine for Prevention of Dysrhythmias Caused by Percutaneous Ethanol Instillation for Hepatoma Therapy
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Ultrasound guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is an established method in the
treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and considered a safe procedure with severe
complications occurring rarely. Previous studies revealed, that the occurrence of bradycardia
and sinuatrial blockage is quite frequent during ethanol instillation sometimes accompanied
by clinical complications such as unconsciousness, respiratory arrest or seizure like
symptoms. Study purpose is to evaluate whether the use of i.v. Atropine before starting
ethanol instillation can prevent dysrhythmias during instillation. Study design: randomized,
placebo controlled, double blinded study. Atropine or saline solution will be administered
intravenously to 40 patients immediately before starting percutaneous ethanol instillation. A
6 line ECG with limb leads will be recorded at rest and during ethanol instillation to reveal
possibly occurring dysrhythmias.