Thermographic Imaging in Epidural Anesthesia

Cook County Health

Overview

The purpose of this study is to describe infrared thermographic imaging as a tool for the assessment of epidural block in obstetrics patients

Patients will recive standard anesthesia care for epidural placement and additionally, thermographic imaging will be obtained at baseline and up to 30 min after the epidural blockade is performed.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Epidural Blockade

Interventions

Thermographic imagingDEVICE

Using infrared-recording camera will obtain thermographic images of the lower extremities before and after the epidural blockade

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Parturients in active labor requesting epidural anesthesia for normal vaginal delivery Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with lower extremity skin disorders like active infections like cellulitis, ,dermatitis, psoriasis or connective tissue disorders like scleroderma or Raynaud's phenomenon * Patients with diagnosed peripheral vascular disease ,venous stasis , deep venous thrombosis. * Patients with Severe preeclampsia with significant lower extremity edema * Patient on vasoactive agents like vasodilators, calcium channels blockers.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in temperature in the lower extremities

thermographic images of the lower extremities will be obtained and analyzed for thermography patterns.

Time frame: at baseline, 5 min before the epidural blockade, during and up to 30 minutes after performing the epidural blockade

Secondary Outcomes

Successful epidural blockade

adequate sensory level, pain control, motor blockade as evaluated by care provider

Time frame: up to 30 min after performing the epidural block

Epidural blockade failure

Failure of the epidural block to adequately control pain, unilateral blockade, optimal sensory level, inadequate motor blockade

Time frame: Up to 30 min after performing the epidural block

Requirement for Epidural catheter manipulation or replacement

Time frame: Up to 30 min after performing the epidural block

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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