Clinical Trial: Acetazolamide for Respiratory Failure in Combination With Metabolic Alkalosis

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Acetazolamide for Respiratory Failure in Combination With Metabolic Alkalosis

Brief Summary:

Respiratory failure is a common consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A concurrent metabolic alkalosis may worsen the respiratory failure, as a higher pH in blood (and thus in cerebrospinal fluid) results in a weaker respiratory drive. Use of diuretics is the most common cause of metabolic alkalosis.

When a patient with an acute exacerbation of a respiratory failure is also alkalotic, there are (at least theoretical) reasons to lower the pH in order to increase the respiratory drive. Among other alternatives, the drug acetazolamide can be used for this purpose.

In some hospitals there is a tradition for the use of acetazolamide on this indication, but any evidence for the effect of such a treatment is rather weak.

Thus, the aim of this trial is to evaluate the effect of acetazolamide as an adjuvant treatment for hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of respiratory failure in combination with metabolic alkalosis.


Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: University of Oslo School of Pharmacy

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood on the 5th day of treatment (without extra oxygen)
  • Change in partial pressure of oxygen from start of treatment to the fifth day of treatment


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood on the 5th day of treatment.
  • Change in partial pressure of carbon dioxide from start of treatment to the fifth day of treatment
  • Intrahospital deaths
  • Use of mechanical ventilation
  • Length of stay
  • Side effects


Original Secondary Outcome:

  • Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood on the 5th day of treatment.
  • Change in partial pressure of carbon dioxide from start of treatment to the fifth day of treatment
  • Intrahospital deaths
  • Use of mecahnical ventilation
  • Length of stay
  • Side effects


Information By: University of Oslo School of Pharmacy

Dates:
Date Received: September 14, 2005
Date Started: January 2002
Date Completion:
Last Updated: January 17, 2014
Last Verified: January 2014