Nitric Oxide Inhalation to Treat Sickle Cell Pain Crises
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study will examine whether nitric oxide (NO) gas can reduce the time it takes for pain
to go away in patients who are in sickle cell crisis. NO is important in regulating blood
vessel dilation, and consequently, blood flow. The gas is continuously produced by cells that
line the blood vessels. It is also transported from the lungs by hemoglobin in red blood
cells.
Patients 10 years of age or older with sickle cell disease (known SS, S-beta-thalassemia or
other blood problems causing sickle cell disease) may be eligible for this study. Patients
whose disease is due to hemoglobin (Hgb) SC are excluded. Candidates are screened with blood
tests and a chest x-ray to look at the lungs and heart.
Participants are admitted to the hospital in a pain crisis. They are evaluated and then
randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments: 1) standard treatment plus NO, or 2)
standard treatment plus placebo. The placebo used in this study is nitrogen, a gas that makes
up most of the air we breathe and is not known to help in sickle cell disease.
For the first 8 hours of the study, patients receive placebo or NO through a facemask. The
mask may be taken off for 5 minutes every hour and for not more than 20 minutes to eat a
meal. After the first 8 hours, the gas is delivered through a nasal cannula (small plastic
tubing that rests under the nose) that may be taken off only while showering or using the
restroom. Patients are questioned about the severity of their pain when they start the study
and then every few hours while they are in the hospital. Their vital signs (temperature,
breathing rate, and blood pressure) and medicines are checked. Patients will breathe the gas
for a maximum of 3 days, but will stay hospitalized until the patient feels well enough to go
home. Patients are followed up about 1 month after starting the study by a return visit to
the hospital or by a phone call.