Controlling Hyperadrenergic Activity in Neurologic Injury

Summary

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently associated with a hyperadrenergic state accompanied by elevated levels of plasma catecholamines. In its more severe presentation, the hyperadrenergic state presents as dysautonomia, which is characterized by paroxysmal alteration in vital signs, including tachycardia. The investigators hypothesize that intravenous (IV) esmolol is as effective at controlling heart rate in hyperadrenergic states as oral propranolol, which is the standard of care. Our primary endpoint is efficacy of IV esmolol vs a PRN regimen of intermittent B-blockade in controlling heart rate below a pre-specified level (\< 100 bpm) after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or hemorrhagic neurologic injury. Heart rates will be recorded continuously as well as hourly.

Timeline

Start

2011-07

Primary completion

2014-02-14

Completion

2014-02-14

Publications

• Background Hortnagl H, Hammerle AF, Hackl JM, Brucke T, Rumpl E, Hortnagl H. The activity of the sympathetic nervous system following severe head injury. Intensive Care Med. 1980 May;6(3):169--7. doi: 10.1007/BF01757299.
• Background Baguley IJ. Autonomic complications following central nervous system injury. Semin Neurol. 2008 Nov;28(5):716-25. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1105971. Epub 2008 Dec 29.
• Background Fernandez-Ortega JF, Prieto-Palomino MA, Munoz-Lopez A, Lebron-Gallardo M, Cabrera-Ortiz H, Quesada-Garcia G. Prognostic influence and computed tomography findings in dysautonomic crises after traumatic brain injury. J Trauma. 2006 Nov;61(5):1129-33. doi: 10.1097/01.ta.0000197634.83217.80.
• Background Cotton BA, Snodgrass KB, Fleming SB, Carpenter RO, Kemp CD, Arbogast PG, Morris JA Jr. Beta-blocker exposure is associated with improved survival after severe traumatic brain injury. J Trauma. 2007 Jan;62(1):26-33; discussion 33-5. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e31802d02d0.
• Background Baguley IJ, Heriseanu RE, Felmingham KL, Cameron ID. Dysautonomia and heart rate variability following severe traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj. 2006 Apr;20(4):437-44. doi: 10.1080/02699050600664715.
• Background Meythaler JM, Stinson AM 3rd. Fever of central origin in traumatic brain injury controlled with propranolol. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1994 Jul;75(7):816-8.
• Background Chiolero RL, Breitenstein E, Thorin D, Christin L, de Tribolet N, Freeman J, Jequier E, Schutz Y. Effects of propranolol on resting metabolic rate after severe head injury. Crit Care Med. 1989 Apr;17(4):328-34. doi: 10.1097/00003246-198904000-00006.
• Background Pranzatelli MR, Pavlakis SG, Gould RJ, De Vivo DC. Hypothalamic-midbrain dysregulation syndrome: hypertension, hyperthermia, hyperventilation, and decerebration. J Child Neurol. 1991 Apr;6(2):115-22. doi: 10.1177/088307389100600204.
• Background Silver JK, Lux WE. Early onset dystonia following traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1994 Aug;75(8):885-8. doi: 10.1016/0003-9993(94)90113-9.
• Background Cuny E, Richer E, Castel JP. Dysautonomia syndrome in the acute recovery phase after traumatic brain injury: relief with intrathecal Baclofen therapy. Brain Inj. 2001 Oct;15(10):917-25. doi: 10.1080/02699050110065277.
• Background Chen JM, Heran BS, Perez MI, Wright JM. Blood pressure lowering efficacy of beta-blockers as second-line therapy for primary hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20;2010(1):CD007185. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007185.pub2.
• Background Harwood TN, Butterworth J, Prielipp RC, Royster RL, Hansen K, Plonk G, Dean R. The safety and effectiveness of esmolol in the perioperative period in patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1999 Oct;13(5):555-61. doi: 10.1016/s1053-0770(99)90007-1.

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