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CompletedNCT04921046Updated Jun 10, 2021

Effect of Pretreatment of Lignocaine Versus Midazolam in Prevention of Etomidate Induced Myoclonus.

A Phase 4 interventional study of lignocaine and Midazolam 1 milligram Prefilled Syringe in Myoclonic Jerk, sponsored by Rawalpindi Medical College. Completed. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 45 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-06-10.

Sponsored by Rawalpindi Medical College · Phase 4, Interventional, and Prevention

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 6 years 4 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jan 2015, registered May 2021).
Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
224
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 45 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study is a randomized control trial and it was conducted to compare the effectiveness of pretreatment with lignocaine versus midazolam on the frequency of myoclonus associated with etomidate induction.

This was conducted in Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi in a period of 6 months.

Read the detailed description

INTRODUCTION:

General anaesthesia is loss of consciousness induced after administration of one or more general anaesthetic agent with overall aim of inducing sleep, amnesia, analgesia and skeletal muscles relaxation. Choosing an induction agent is a very vital step in commencing general anaesthesia1. Use of sedatives can prevent or minimize potentially harmful physiologic affects of airway manipulation that include increase in heart rate, BP, and raised intracranial pressure.

Etomidate, imidazole-derived, sedative-hypnotic agent, blocks neuroexcitation by its direct action on the gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptor complex1.Because of its many desirable properties like rapid onset of action, profound hypnosis, minimal histamine release, hemodynamic stability, minimal respiratory depression, and favorable cerebral effects, etomidate is considered as an ideal induction agent2. Concerns with etomidate include adrenal suppression and myoclonus3, 4.

30 to 60% of unpremedicated patients develop myoclonic movements after an induction dose (0.3 mg/kg) of etomidate1. Myoclonus is described as the involuntary contraction of some muscle fibers, leading to short observable movements of the body, more pronounced with the limbs5. In emergency scenarios, myoclonus can lead to increment in the chances of regurgitation and aspiration.

Various drugs like Lignocaine, Midazolam, Magnesium, Dezocine and dexmedetomidine have been used as pretreatment for reducing myoclonus after etomidate injection but the best drug for the purpose is yet to be discovered6, 7, 8, 9. Ideally a pretreatment drug should be short-acting, should affect respiration and hemodynamic minimally, and should not prolong the recovery period.

Lignocaine belongs to amide group of local anaesthetics.Lignocaine alters signal conduction in neuronal cell membrane8. Various studies have been conducted on lignocaine being used as a pretreatment drug; before propofol induction to reduce pain or etomidate to prevent myoclonus associated with etomidateinduction6.

Midazolam, a benzodiazepine, produce a calming effect on the brain and nerves 1, 10. Its various favorable effects include antiepileptic properties, anxiolysis, sedation, reduced attention and amnesia7. In a comparative study conducted by Singh KA (initials for first and second name of the author) et al, effect of pretreatment with lignocaine, midazolam and placebo were compared in prevention of etomidate induced myoclonus and the incidence was found to be 44%, 28% and 76% respectively5 (P\<0.05). However, none of these studies have been conducted in Pakistan. The basic aim of my study is to compare the effectiveness of pretreatment with Lignocaine versus Midazolam on the frequency of myoclonus associated with etomidate induction, generate data regarding the effects, so that the more effective drug can be used routinely for the prevention of myoclonus associated with etomidate induction in routine.

METHODOLOGY:

After obtaining approval from the hospital ethics committee and written informed consent, 112 patient were recruited according to selection criteria in each group. All patients were assessed a day before surgery for anaesthesia fitness. Patient were prepared by fasting (8 h for solid foods, 4 hours for clear fluids).Patient were randomly divided into two equal groups by computer-generated numbers.

Group A received 1 ml of 2% lignocaine 2 min before induction with etomidate and Group B received 1 ml (1mg) of midazolam 2 min before induction with etomidate. On reaching the operating theater, standard monitoring were placed on all the participants, which included pulse oximeter, ECG and non-invasive blood pressure. A 20 G cannula with an intravenous line was maintained with 0.9% saline. Vitals such as pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were recorded and taken as baseline readings. All patients were then preoxygenated with 100% oxygen for 3 min. Patients were divided randomly into two groups of 112 using computer generated random numbers. Group I received 1 ml of 2% lignocaine, and group II received 1 ml of midazolam (1 mg). The test solutions were prepared in coded syringes and were administered 2 min before etomidate induction (0.3 mg/kg) by an observer who was blinded to the allocation of the groups as well as the drug given to him. The time to the loss of eyelash reflex was recorded as the onset of induction, and an additional dose of etomidate was administered if necessary. The patients were observed continuously for myoclonic movements. The time of onset and the duration of myoclonus was observed. One minute post IV injection of etomidate and the observation of myoclonus, 0.5 mg/kg succinylcholine was administered to allow endotracheal tube placement. The vitals were observed after administration of test solution, after induction, and after endotracheal intubation every minute for five minutes, then every five minutes for fifteen minutes, and then every fifteen minutes till the surgery ends. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane (0.5-1%) and atracurium.

Data was collected on a standardized Proforma and analyze using SPSS-17 version (Statistical package for the social sciences). Mean ± SD (standard deviation) was calculated for quantitative variables lik age, weight and BMI. Qualitative variables like gender, myoclonus wer expressed as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square was used to compare th frequency of myoclonus in two groups. A P value less than 0.05 was consider statistically significant. Effect modifiers like age and gender were controlled b stratification. Post-stratification Chi-square test was applied.

02

Conditions studied

  • Myoclonic Jerk

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03

In context

Myoclonus

20 studies on the registry are indexed under Myoclonus; 6 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 224 is above the median of 50 across 11 interventional studies indexed under Myoclonus.

Browse Myoclonus studies →

Lead sponsor

Rawalpindi Medical College is the lead sponsor of 24 studies on the registry; 6 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • ASA-I / ASA-II
  • any gender >20-45 years
  • undergoing elective surgical procedure.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patient who refused
  • those with any neurological or psychiatric disorders
  • morbid obesity
  • drug allergies
  • pregnant patients
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
224 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Group Lignocaine

    Group of 112 patients ASA-I and II (American Society of Anesthesiology)ages from 25-44 undergoing elective surgical procedure.

    Drug: lignocaine

  • Active comparator
    Group Midazolam

    Group of 112 patients ASA-I and II ages from 25-44 undergoing elective surgical procedure.

    Drug: Midazolam 1 milligram Prefilled Syringe

Interventions

  • After giving lignocaine to a group of people, myoclonus was observed after the dose of etomidate given two minutes after lignocaine.

    Also known as: 2% lignocaine 1 ml

  • after giving midazolam to the second group of people two minutes before etomidate dose, myoclonus was observed for one minute.

    Also known as: Dormicum

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Occurrence and Frequency of Myoclonus

    involuntary contracting muscle fibers leading to short observable movements more pronounced with the limbs measured by observation by an observer.

    Time frame: Immediately after giving etomidate dose.

  2. Occurrence and Frequency of Myoclonus

    involuntary contracting muscle fibers leading to short observable movements more pronounced with the limbs measured by observation by an observer.

    Time frame: 20 seconds after giving etomidate dose.

  3. Occurrence and Frequency of Myoclonus

    involuntary contracting muscle fibers leading to short observable movements more pronounced with the limbs measured by observation by an observer.

    Time frame: 40 seonds after giving etomidate dose.

  4. Occurrence and Frequency of Myoclonus

    involuntary contracting muscle fibers leading to short observable movements more pronounced with the limbs measured by observation by an observer.

    Time frame: 60 seconds after giving etomidate dose.

07

Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

08

References and documents

Publications

  • Devlin RJ, Kalil D. Etomidate as an Induction Agent in Sepsis. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2018 Sep;30(3):e1-e9. doi: 10.1016/j.cnc.2018.05.004. Epub 2018 Jul 13. Erratum In: Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2018 Dec;30(4):xiii. doi: 10.1016/j.cnc.2018.10.001. PubMed 30286947 ↗
  • Malapero RJ, Zaccagnino MP, Brovman EY, Kaye AD, Urman RD. Etomidate derivatives: Novel pharmaceutical agents in anesthesia. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2017 Oct-Dec;33(4):429-431. doi: 10.4103/0970-9185.222521. PubMed 29416230 ↗
  • Du X, Zhou C, Pan L, Li C. Effect of dexmedetomidine in preventing etomidate-induced myoclonus: a meta-analysis. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2017 Feb 8;11:365-370. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S121979. eCollection 2017. PubMed 28223779 ↗
  • Forman SA. Clinical and molecular pharmacology of etomidate. Anesthesiology. 2011 Mar;114(3):695-707. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181ff72b5. PubMed 21263301 ↗
  • Apartis E, Vercueil L. To jerk or not to jerk: A clinical pathophysiology of myoclonus. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2016 Aug-Sep;172(8-9):465-476. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2016.07.013. Epub 2016 Aug 24. PubMed 27568397 ↗
  • Lang B, Zhang L, Li F, Lin Y, Zhang W, Yang C. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of remifentanil versus different pharmacological approaches on prevention of etomidate-induced myoclonus: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2019 May 9;13:1593-1607. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S200200. eCollection 2019. PubMed 31190739 ↗
  • Gupta P, Gupta M. Comparison of different doses of intravenous lignocaine on etomidate-induced myoclonus: A prospective randomised and placebo-controlled study. Indian J Anaesth. 2018 Feb;62(2):121-126. doi: 10.4103/ija.IJA_563_17. PubMed 29491517 ↗
  • Sedighinejad A, Naderi Nabi B, Haghighi M, Biazar G, Imantalab V, Rimaz S, Zaridoost Z. Comparison of the Effects of Low-Dose Midazolam, Magnesium Sulfate, Remifentanil and Low-Dose Etomidate on Prevention of Etomidate-Induced Myoclonus in Orthopedic Surgeries. Anesth Pain Med. 2016 Apr 2;6(2):e35333. doi: 10.5812/aapm.35333. eCollection 2016 Apr. PubMed 27247915 ↗
  • Niedermirtl F, Eberhardt M, Namer B, Leffler A, Nau C, Reeh PW, Kistner K. Etomidate and propylene glycol activate nociceptive TRP ion channels. Mol Pain. 2018 Jan-Dec;14:1744806918811699. doi: 10.1177/1744806918811699. Epub 2018 Oct 22. PubMed 30345869 ↗
  • Wu GN, Xu HJ, Liu FF, Wu X, Zhou H. Low-Dose Ketamine Pretreatment Reduces the Incidence and Severity of Myoclonus Induced by Etomidate: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Feb;95(6):e2701. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002701. PubMed 26871805 ↗
  • Safavi M, Honarmand A, Sahaf AS, Sahaf SM, Attari M, Payandeh M, Iazdani A, Norian N. Magnesium sulfate versus Lidocaine pretreatment for prevention of pain on etomidate injection: A randomized, double-blinded placebo controlled trial. J Res Pharm Pract. 2015 Jan-Mar;4(1):4-8. doi: 10.4103/2279-042X.150044. PubMed 25710044 ↗
  • Huter L, Schreiber T, Gugel M, Schwarzkopf K. Low-dose intravenous midazolam reduces etomidate-induced myoclonus: a prospective, randomized study in patients undergoing elective cardioversion. Anesth Analg. 2007 Nov;105(5):1298-302, table of contents. doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000287248.25610.c0. PubMed 17959958 ↗
  • Ye Young Yang, Sae Jin Choi, Hae Ja Kim, Soo Chang Son. The effect of midazolam, fentanyl and a small dose of etomidate for prevention of myoclonus during induction of anesthesia with etomidate. Clinical Research Article. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2000;39(2):1-66-171
  • Singh Ka, Ruchi G, Singh KA, Kaur BT Efficacy of lignocaine versus midazolam in controlling etomidate-induced myoclonus: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Ai Shams Med J 2014;7(3):460-4
  • Lang B, Zhang L, Yang C, Lin Y, Zhang W, Li F. Pretreatment with lidocaine reduces both incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2018 Oct 4;12:3311-3319. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S174057. eCollection 2018. PubMed 30323563 ↗
  • Schwarzkopf KR, Hueter L, Simon M, Fritz HG. Midazolam pretreatment reduces etomidate-induced myoclonic movements. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2003 Feb;31(1):18-20. doi: 10.1177/0310057X0303100103. PubMed 12635389 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Jan 2015 to primary completion in Jun 2015, 5 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
May 27, 2021
First posted
Jun 10, 2021
StartActual
Jan 1, 2015
Primary completionActual
Jun 30, 2015
CompletionActual
Jun 30, 2015
Last update
Jun 10, 2021
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jun 10, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04921046
Lead sponsor
Rawalpindi Medical College
Responsible party
FIZZA BATOOL (Post graduate trainee Anesthesiology, Rawalpindi Medical College) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jun 10, 2021
Start date
Jan 1, 2015
Primary completion
Jun 30, 2015
Completion
Jun 30, 2015
Last update
Jun 10, 2021

Study contacts

Fizza Batool, FCPS
principal investigator · Rawalpindi Medical College

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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Studies of the drugs tested here: Lidocaine · Midazolam

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