A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine Versus 2 % Lidocaine/ Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery
Phase: EARLY_PHASE1
Conditions: Surgical Anesthesia, Cesarean Section
Sponsor: University of Arkansas

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 1 
 
 
 
Study Title: 
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% 
Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ Epinephrine/ 
Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective 
Cesarean Delivery 
 
Principal Investigator:  
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
4301 W. Markham Street, Slot # 515 
Little Rock, AR 72205 
Telephone: (501) 319-2622 
Email:  nelsharawi@uams.edu 
 
 
Sub-Investigator (s): 
Jill Mhyre, MD 
 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
4301 W. Markham Street, Slot # 515 
Little Rock, AR 72205 
Telephone: (501) 554-4943   
Email:  jmmhyre@uams.edu 
 
Caesar Augustus Guevara, CRS 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
4301 W. Markham Street, Slot # 515 
Little Rock, AR 72205 
Telephone:  (501) 526-5879 
Email:  CAGuevara@uams.edu 
 
Study location: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
4301 W. Markham Street, Slot # 515 
Little Rock, AR 72205 
 
 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 2 
Table of Contents 
 
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ 2 
Abbreviations .................................................................................................................. 4 
Background and Rationale .............................................................................................. 5 
Specific Aims ................................................................................................................... 5 
Primary Outcome ......................................................................................................... 6 
Secondary Outcome .................................................................................................... 6 
Exploratory Outcome ................................................................................................... 6 
Study Design and Procedures ......................................................................................... 8 
Screening/Baseline Phase ........................................................................................... 8 
Pre-operative Phase .................................................................................................... 9 
Intra-operative Phase .................................................................................................. 9 
Intra-operative Monitoring .......................................................................................... 11 
Concurrent Medication ............................................................................................... 11 
Assessment of Primary Efficacy Parameters ............................................................. 11 
Epidural Study Solutions ............................................................................................... 11 
Epidural Study Solution 1 .......................................................................................... 11 
Test Dose and Induction ........................................................................................ 11 
Maintenance .......................................................................................................... 12 
Epidural Study Solution 2 .......................................................................................... 12 
Test Dose and Induction ........................................................................................ 12 
Maintenance .......................................................................................................... 13 
Post-operative Phase ................................................................................................ 13 
Study Population ........................................................................................................... 13 
Inclusion Criteria ........................................................................................................ 14 
Exclusion Criteria ....................................................................................................... 14 
Accrual Goal .............................................................................................................. 14 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 3 
Recruitment Plan ....................................................................................................... 14 
Risks and Benefits ..................................................................................................... 15 
Study Medication Risks ............................................................................................. 16 
Lidocaine with epinephrine and chloroprocaine ......................................................... 16 
Side effects to the fetus: ............................................................................................ 18 
Sodium Bicarbonate (frequency unknown) ................................................................ 18 
Fentanyl ..................................................................................................................... 18 
Side effects to the fetus ............................................................................................. 19 
Risk Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 19 
Drug Accountability and Subject Compliance ................................................................ 19 
Data Handling and Recordkeeping ............................................................................... 19 
Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 20 
Sample Size .............................................................................................................. 20 
Randomization ........................................................................................................... 20 
Withdrawal of Participants ............................................................................................. 21 
Stopping the Study ........................................................................................................ 21 
Ethical Considerations ................................................................................................... 21 
Dissemination of Data ................................................................................................... 21 
References .................................................................................................................... 22 
Appendices ................................................................................................................... 22 
 
 
 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 4 
Abbreviations 
ASA  
 
 
  
American Society of Anesthesiologist 
BP 
 
 
 
  
Blood Pressure 
CSE  
 
 
  
Combined Spinal Epidural 
CSF  
 
 
  
Cerebro-Spinal Fluid 
ECG  
 
 
  
Electrocardiogram 
HIPAA 
 
 
  
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act  
L&D  
 
 
  
Labor and Delivery 
LEBF  
 
 
  
Lidocaine, Epinephrine, Bicarbonate and Fentanyl 
Mcg   
 
 
 
Microgram 
Min  
 
 
 
 
Minute 
ml, mls 
 
 
  
Milliliter, Milliliters 
PACU  
 
 
  
Post Anesthesia Care Unit 
T7 
 
 
 
  
Thoracic Dermatome Level 7 
T10 
 
 
 
  
Thoracic Dermatome Level 10 
T12 
 
 
 
  
Thoracic Dermatome Level 12 
UAMS  
 
 
  
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
VAS  
 
 
  
Visual Analogue Scale 
 
 
 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 5 
Background and Rationale 
Regional anesthesia is commonly used for elective and emergency cesarean delivery. It 
provides numerous safety advantages when compared to general anesthesia for both 
the mother and fetus1.  Epidurals also have the added benefit of being able to provide 
pain relief throughout labor and in the event of cesarean delivery, epidural analgesia 
can be “extended” to provide surgical anesthesia.  Numerous studies have been 
performed to assess the onset times of various local anesthetics when administered 
through an epidural catheter. Attempts to reduce anesthetic onset time and improve the 
quality of intraoperative analgesia have been attempted by using different local 
anesthetic solutions and by the addition of other drugs to the epidural solution (such as 
epinephrine, fentanyl and sodium bicarbonate). 
A recent meta-analysis concluded that the optimum local anesthetic solution for 
extending a labor epidural from analgesia to surgical anesthesia has yet to be 
determined 2.  In 1994, a retrospective study compared 1.5% 
lidocaine/bicarbonate/epinephrine mixture to 3% chloroprocaine in parturients with pre-
existing epidural catheters for urgent cesarean delivery3.  It was found that the 
chloroprocaine group had a significantly faster onset of anesthesia compared to the 
lidocaine group.  Both drugs provided excellent anesthesia. However a high quality 
study comparing 3% chloroprocaine with 2% lidocaine/ epinephrine/ bicarbonate/ 
fentanyl (LEBF) in terms of anesthetic onset times has yet to be performed. 
Women in labor frequently request an epidural to provide pain relief.  Epidural pain relief 
is commonly provided by the administration of a low concentration of local anesthetic 
and opioid solution through an epidural catheter. This solution is delivered by an 
automated epidural infusion pump. In the event that a cesarean delivery is required, the 
pre-existing epidural is frequently used to administer a higher concentration anesthetic 
solution to allow pain free cesarean delivery. This is commonly referred to as an 
“epidural top up” or as an “extension of the epidural block.” 
Our standard practice at UAMS for an epidural top up is LEBF or 3% chloroprocaine. 
These two mixtures are routinely and almost exclusively used for epidural cesarean 
delivery. The decision on which mixture to use is based solely on physician preference. 
It is likely that the LBEF mixture is used more frequently but we consider both local 
anesthetic mixtures as equals and the standard of care at UAMS. We do not use any 
other local anesthetics (unless there are very specific reasons). 
Specific Aims 
The aim of this study is to compare the speed of onset and anesthetic quality of our two 
current clinical dosing regimens (LBEF and a solution of 3% chloroprocaine) in elective 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 6 
cesarean delivery.  We hypothesize that the use of a 2% lidocaine/ epinephrine/ 
bicarbonate/fentanyl mixture will have an equivalent onset time to surgical anesthesia 
as compared to 3% chloroprocaine. 
Primary Outcome 
The primary outcome will be the onset time to surgical anesthesia, as reported by the 
participant using a standard procedure This will be measured by the time taken from the 
end of the epidural loading dose to develop a loss of touch sensation using a neurotip® 
(Owen Mumford, USA) device bilaterally at the T7 dermatomal level. 
A blunt plastic neurotip® will be loaded onto a neuropen® (Owen Mumford, USA) which 
will give a standardized 40 gram force.  Sensory testing will be performed from caudad 
to cephald (i.e. from blocked to unblocked dermatomes) to identify the first unblocked 
dermatome. 
Secondary Outcome 
We will compare the intraoperative supplementation rate between the two groups.  This 
is defined the percentage of women who require additional drugs to control pain during 
the elective cesarean section in each arm of the trial.  
Exploratory Outcome 
The following will be abstracted from the medical records: 
• Maximum pain Visual analogue scale (VAS) during surgery (as reported by patient, 
scored from 0-10 in the PACU). 
• Incidence of side effects:  
o Nausea (self-reported by patient, yes or no). 
o Vomiting (observed yes or no). 
o Itching (self-reported by patient, yes or no). 
• Use and dose of vasopressor phenylephrine (80-160 mcg bolus) and Hartmann’s 
solution (200mls bolus). Indicated to be given if the BP drops greater than 20% 
below baseline or <100mg Hg systolic.  
• Overall patient satisfaction score, (asked and scored from 0-10). 
• Motor block at end of the cesarean delivery (measured in the PACU). 
• Neonatal Apgar scores. 
• Umbilical cord blood gases taken after delivery (arterial and or venous). 
• Opioid consumption over 24 hours postoperatively  
This is a single center, double blinded, randomized study.  Our usual practice for 
extending epidural analgesia for urgent cesarean sections consists of a mixture of 2% 
lidocaine, epinephrine, bicarbonate and fentanyl (LEBF) or 3% chloroprocaine.  The 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 7 
local anesthetic mixture used is dependent on the anesthesiologist’s preference. LBEF 
tends to be used more frequently than chloroprocaine in our unit (estimated 2:1 ratio)   
Both drugs provide a rapid onset of surgical anesthesia with little need for intraoperative 
analgesic supplementation. 
The aim of this study is to compare the speed of onset and anesthetic quality of our two 
current clinical dosing regimens (LEBF, and a solution of 3% Chloroprocaine) in elective 
cesarean delivery.  Both 2% lidocaine and 3% chloroprocaine are licensed and 
commonly used in epidural catheters for cesarean delivery.  The results of this study 
should also be applicable to epidural anesthesia in the setting of urgent cesarean 
deliveries. 
Due to the complexities of performing a research study in the setting of an urgent 
cesarean delivery, we propose testing our hypothesis in patients scheduled for elective 
cesarean delivery. As such we will be deviating from our standard care, which normally 
involves spinal, epidural or combined spinal-epidural (CSE) performed in the operating 
room directly before cesarean delivery. Instead a CSE will be inserted preoperatively in 
women shortly before their elective cesarean section (usually 1- 2 hours before 
surgery). This will allow us to closely replicate the conditions involved in extending an 
epidural that is used for analgesia in laboring women to surgical anesthesia for 
unexpected cesarean delivery.  
The epidural infusion will be commenced with our standardized local anesthetic mixture 
(0.0625% bupivacaine with 2mcg/ml fentanyl) through an automated infusion pump.  
This is normally used to provide pain relief in laboring women. This epidural infusion 
pump will continue until the scheduled time of cesarean delivery.  The woman will then 
be transferred to the operating room and the epidural will be extended/topped-up with 
either chloroprocaine or LEBF (according to randomized group assignment) so as to 
assess the onset time of anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Both local anesthetic 
mixtures (LBEF and chloroprocaine) are commonly used in other hospitals within the 
region for elective and emergency cesarean delivery. We almost exclusively use these 
two mixtures in our unit for women who require unscheduled cesarean delivery if they 
have already had an epidural placed. For elective cesarean delivery our normal practice 
involves either spinal or CSE anesthesia, epidural anesthesia is more likely to be used 
for select cases dependent on clinical condition.    
 
 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 8 
Study Flow Chart 
 
 
Study Design and Procedures 
Screening/Baseline Phase 
The anesthesiologists performing the pre-operative evaluation will alert a member of the 
study team if the patient meets the inclusion criteria for the study.  Following informed 
consent, we will obtain demographic and clinical information including, but not limited to, 
height, weight, age, current medications, medical diagnoses, and history of anesthesia 
complications.  Standard non-invasive vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory 
rate, and temperature) will be obtained from the pre-operative work up. 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 9 
Pre-operative Phase 
Patients who have been enrolled into the study will have a combined spinal-epidural 
(CSE) inserted in the patient’s room on admission to the Labor & Delivery Suite (L&D) 
shortly before (usually 1 -2 hours) their elective cesarean section. Patients who are not 
enrolled in the study would normally receive either a spinal or CSE in the operating 
room at the time of their surgery. Dosing and monitoring will be the same as for any 
patient who requires a CSE for labor analgesia or cesarean delivery.   
To proceed with the next phase of the study (see below), the subject will require a 
functioning epidural. This will be assessed by the anesthesiologist after insertion of the 
CSE by confirming a negative test dose and the establishment of a bilateral T10 – T12 
sensory block. This is standard practice.  
Intra-operative Phase 
The patient will be transferred from her room (where the CSE was inserted) to the 
operating room according to her scheduled time of cesarean delivery.  The epidural 
pump will be discontinued and anesthesia care will be conducted in the same manner 
as all cesarean deliveries under epidural extension anesthesia.  The anesthesiologist 
will confirm that no blood or CSF can be aspirated from the epidural catheter before the 
administration of the test dose and study solution.  
Motor block of the lower extremities will be evaluated using the Bromage scale (1–4; 1, 
no block; 4, complete motor block).  The motor block will be assessed on at least three 
occasions: 
1. 
Before administering the epidural extension anesthesia 
2. 
When the sensory level reaches the T7 dermatome 
3. 
Postoperatively on admission to PACU  
Sensory block will be tested (using a standard procedure) at the end of the epidural 
loading dose. Loss of touch sensation will measured using a neurotip® (Owen Mumford, 
USA) until a sensory bilateral block to the T7 dermatomal level has been reached. The 
T7 level will be marked bilaterally with a washable marker pen to guarantee precision of 
the primary end point. A blunt plastic neurotip® will be loaded onto a neuropen® (Owen 
Mumford, USA) which will give a standardized 40 gram force. Sensory testing will be 
performed from caudad to cephald (i.e. from blocked to unblocked dermatomes) to 
identify the first unblocked dermatome. 
To identify the level where the sensation of touch is first appreciated, the investigator 
will ask the question: “Tell me when you feel something touch your skin.” Both the motor 
and sensory block evaluations are part of the standard clinical care of patients receiving 
epidural anesthesia.  

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 10 
 
The study solution will be given in three phases: 
1. Test Dose 
• 3 mls given initially from the 30-ml syringe labelled:  Epidural Study 
(Induction 1) 
2. Induction 
• The remaining volume from the 30-ml syringe labelled:  Epidural Study 
(Induction 1) 
• Epidural Study (Induction 2) syringe may be used if required to further 
extend the epidural block (as per instructions below) 
3. Maintenance 
• A 10-ml syringe labelled Epidural Study (Maintenance) given at 40 
minutes after the test dose 
Participants in the study will be randomized to receive one of the two study solutions as 
described above.  These solutions in syringes will be prepared by an un-blinded 
anesthesiologist in the adjacent operating room prior to the epidural top-up.  The 
patient's initials and study number will be displayed on each syringe. The un-blinded 
anesthesiologist will have no other role in the patient’s care other than the preparation 
of the study solution and replacing the term “study solution” within the patients’ medical 
record, to the actual drugs that were given. In the event of an emergency situation 
blinding would be broken and the treating anesthesiologist would be informed of what 
study solution was given. 
A second anesthesiologist, blind to the choice of local anesthetic will manage the 
clinical care of the patient from the beginning of the study (insertion of the epidural) and 
will administer the epidural study solution. There will be no difference in this clinician’s 
care of the subject than if she were not enrolled in the study. They will assess the onset 
of anesthesia and manage all aspects of the subject’s clinical care including the 
documentation of the “study solution”, timing, and clinical effects of the study 
medication.  The speed of onset will be assessed from the end of epidural top up.  This 
will be defined as time zero and the start of anesthesia.  The primary outcome will be 
the time taken to lose touch sensation from a neurotip/pen device at the thoracic 
dermatome level 7 (T7). See below for a description of this assessment.  
The primary outcome will be documented on a separate data collection tool (which the 
un-blinded anesthesiologist will not have access to). The blinded anesthesiologist will 
continue to manage all aspects of the subject’s clinical care until completion (PACU 
discharge). If required intra-operative analgesia will be offered in the form of further 
epidural top-up, intravenous fentanyl, ketamine, nitrous oxide or replacement of 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 11 
neuraxial anesthesia/conversion into general anesthesia at the anesthesiologist's 
discretion.  These are all commonly used medications that provide pain relief during 
cesarean sections in the event of breakthrough pain.  The choice of which drug to use is 
at the discretion of the anesthesiologist. This information will be abstracted from medical 
records.  
Intra-operative Monitoring  
As with all cesarean sections full monitoring in the operating room will be applied and 
will be the same whether the participant is in the study or not. 
Concurrent Medication 
Subjects enrolled in the study will be treated as per normal practice for elective 
cesarean section. If a general anesthetic must be instituted, the subject’s participation in 
the study will be stopped.   
Assessment of Primary Efficacy Parameters 
Assessment will be made of the sensory level after the epidural loading/induction dose. 
This will give an indication of the suitability of surgical anesthesia before proceeding 
with cesarean section. This will be assessed by the blinded clinical anesthesiologist with 
a NeurotipTM device, 2 minutes after the completion of the epidural top-up and then 
continuously if possible or at intervals of approximately 1 minute until a T7 level is 
acquired to touch sensation. Motor function will be assessed using the Modified 
Bromage Score. This is standard clinical monitoring, except for the fact that the sensory 
level will be assessed continuously / approximately every one minute as opposed to the 
ad hoc assessments which are normally done.  
Epidural Study Solutions 
The solutions and their administration procedures are identical to those used outside 
this research and are almost exclusively used for epidural top up anesthesia for non-
scheduled cesarean delivery. All patients enrolled will randomly receive one of the two 
study solutions exactly prescribed as below which is our routine practice. 
 
Epidural Study Solution 1 
Test Dose and Induction 
Twenty (20) mLs of Chloroprocaine 3% (Nesacaine – Fresenius Kabi), will be drawn up 
into a 30-ml syringe from 1 x 20-ml single dose vial of 3% Chloroprocaine. 4 mls of 
0.9% sodium chloride will be added to the syringe. Thus the total volume in the syringe 
will be 24 mls. 3 mls of this solution will be initially administered through the epidural.  

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 12 
This is the test dose.  After three minutes the anesthesiologist will assess the patient for 
any signs of accidental intrathecal or vascular administration.  If there are no signs of 
accidental wrong route administration then the remaining volume of solution will be 
given via the epidural catheter over approximately two minutes.  This will be the 
induction dose.  The total volume that will be administered to the patient at this stage 
will be 24 mls. 
Ten (10) mls of 3% Chloroprocaine will be drawn up in a 20-ml syringe.  This solution 
will be given if the initial induction dose is not effective. If a bilateral block to touch 
stimulus at the T7 dermatome level has not been achieved within 15 minutes after the 
end of the induction dose, then a further 5mls of study solution will be given. If after 25 
minutes (total elapsed time after giving induction dose), a sensory block to T7 has not 
been achieved then a further 5 mls of study solution can be given. If at 35 minutes (after 
induction dose) the sensory block has not reached T7, then the subject will be 
withdrawn from the study and the anesthesiologist can induce anesthesia in whichever 
way they think is best. At this point the anesthesiologist will also break blinding.  
Therefore, the total volume of local anesthesia that can be given to the patient at this 
stage is 34 mls (24 mls induction dose + a further 5 or 10 mls if the initial induction dose 
is not effective).  
Maintenance 
Ten (10) mls of Chloroprocaine 3% will also be drawn up in a separate 10 ml syringe. 
This solution will be administered once only over 3 – 5 minutes, 40 minutes after the 
completion of the induction dose. 
Epidural Study Solution 2 
Test Dose and Induction 
Twenty (20) mls of Lidocaine 2% HCL (Xylocaine – Fresenius Kabi), which will be 
drawn up into a 30 ml syringe from 4 x 5ml ampoules of 2% Lidocaine. The following 
additives will be added: 
1. 0.15 ml of 1:1000 epinephrine  
2. 2 mls of 50 mcg/ml of fentanyl 
3. 2 mls of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate 
Thus the total volume in the syringe will be 24.15 mls. At the start of epidural extension 
anesthesia a 3 mls test dose will be administered through the epidural (as previously 
described above).  After three minutes, if there are no signs of accidental spinal block or 
intravascular administration then the remaining volume of study solution will be 
administered over approximately two minutes.  This is the induction dose. The total 
volume that will be administered to the patient at this stage will be 24.15 mls. 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 13 
Ten (10) mls of 2% Lidocaine (with the addition of 0.1 ml of 1:1000 epinephrine) will be 
drawn up in a 20 ml syringe.  This solution will be given if the initial induction dose is not 
effective.  If a bilateral block to touch stimulus at the T7 dermatome level has not been 
achieved 15 minutes after the end of the epidural top up, then a further 5mls of study 
solution will be given.  At the 25 minute mark (total elapsed time after giving induction 
dose) a further 5 mls of study solution can be given in an attempt to achieve a sensory 
block to T7. If at 35 minutes (after induction dose) the sensory block has not reached 
T7, then the subject will be withdrawn from the study and the anesthesiologist can 
induce anesthesia in whichever way they think is best.  At this point the anesthesiologist 
will break blinding.  Therefore, the total volume of local anesthesia that can be given to 
the patient at this stage is 34.15 mls (24.15 mls induction dose + a further 5 or 10 mls if 
the initial induction dose is not effective). 
Maintenance 
Ten (10) mls of 0.9% sodium chloride will also be drawn up in a separate 10ml syringe.  
This solution will be administered once only over 3 – 5 minutes, 40 minutes after the 
completion of the induction dose. 
This is our usual practice except for the following: 
• we are being very precise in regards to documentation of time 
• monitoring the sensory block continuously or approximately every one minute(as 
opposed to every few minutes) 
• the addition of saline to study solution 1, this is to allow equal volumes of local 
anesthetic solutions and maintain blinding 
Post-operative Phase 
Participants will be admitted to the PACU after completion of the operation. Care will be 
as per the standard of care for all elective cesarean deliveries.  Pain scores, motor and 
sensory block assessments, and cumulative opioid usage over the first 24 hours 
postoperatively, will be abstracted from the medical records of these subjects after 
discharge.  
Before discharge from the PACU, the un-blinded anesthesiologist would access the 
patient’s medical record and replace the charted “study solution” with the actual drugs 
administered before closing the anesthetic record. 
 
Study Population 
All subjects scheduled for elective cesarean delivery will be screened for recruitment 
when admitted to UAMS labor and delivery unit. A member of the research team will 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 14 
approach the subject after completion of the anesthetic pre assessment which is a 
standard of care.  
 
Inclusion Criteria 
Any patient requiring an elective cesarean section at UAMS labor and delivery unit who 
is: 
● ≥ 18 years of age for the mother 
● Singleton pregnancy 
● Gestation > 36 weeks 
● ASA class II 
● Provides written consent 
● Infant of mother 
Exclusion Criteria 
• Patient refusal 
• Non-elective or urgent/emergent cesarean sections 
• ASA class III or above 
• Unable to understand English 
• Significant back surgery or scoliosis 
• Lethal fetal abnormality or likely to affect APGAR scores 
• Known fetal abnormality 
• Weight > 120 kg 
• Height < 150 cm 
• Allergy to local anesthetics  
Accrual Goal 
A total of 70 mother-infant dyads requiring an elective cesarean section at UAMS labor 
and delivery unit will be enrolled into the study. 
Recruitment Plan 
Potential subjects will be offered participation in the study after admission into the Labor 
and Delivery unit.  All potential subjects will be informed of the study by a member of the 
study team after the anesthetic pre-operative consultation.  The informed 
consent/HIPAA discussion will take place prior to any pre-operative medications being 
administered and the potential subject will be allowed as much time as necessary to 
consider participating in the study. 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 15 
Risks and Benefits 
The benefits and risks to the study participants overall will be the same as all patients 
presenting to L&D for elective cesarean delivery. That is, whether a patient decides to 
participate or not in the study, the normal standard of care is neuraxial anesthesia 
(spinal, epidural or combined spinal-epidural) for cesarean delivery as opposed to 
general anesthesia. Below is a brief summary of the three main neuraxial anesthesia 
techniques; spinal, epidural and CSE. 
Spinal Anesthesia 
The majority of elective cesarean delivery is performed under spinal anesthesia. The 
main advantage of spinal anesthesia is its fast onset, good quality anesthesia and it is a 
relatively simple anesthetic technique. The main disadvantage is that spinal anesthesia 
has a limited duration of action (under two hours) and intraoperative pain will require 
supplementation with intravenous drugs or conversion to general anesthesia 
CSE and epidural anesthesia 
These techniques will be considered together as they are similar. We rarely use 
epidural anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery, mainly because its onset of action is 
much slower than spinal anesthesia. Epidural anesthesia is routinely used for 
nonscheduled cesarean delivery, where laboring patients will likely already have an 
epidural in place. The epidural is then “toped up” allowing the conversion of labor 
analgesia to surgical anesthesia. Hence the main advantage of epidural anesthesia is 
the ability to extend analgesia or anesthesia for as long as required. This also allows the 
administration of further local anesthetic solution through the epidural to treat any 
episodes of intraoperative pain without having to convert to general anesthesia. 
A CSE technique combines the advantages of spinal and epidural anesthesia. 
Therefore, it is routinely used for elective cesarean delivery (but less than spinal 
anesthesia). The disadvantage of the CSE technique is that is the most technically 
challenging of the three anesthetic techniques as it combines both a spinal and an 
epidural. 
Risks of CSE and epidural anesthesia 
• The benefits and risk of spinal, epidural, CSE and general anesthesia are 
routinely discussed with the patient as part of the anesthetic pre-assessment and 
informed consent as a standard of care. The subject with be exposed to very 
similar risks if they decided to be part of this study or not as they will most likely 
receive neuraxial anesthesia (spinal/epidural/CSE) as opposed to general 
anesthesia if they decline to be in the study. However, subjects enrolled into this 
study will all receive CSE anesthesia. The only unique risk to participants in this 
study due to CSE anesthesia is: Inadvertent intravascular injection. This risk can 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 16 
be minimized by aspirating blood through the epidural catheter and administering 
a ‘test dose’ of local anesthetic +/- epinephrine. 
• Our standard CSE equipment is composed of a spring wound catheter. This 
greatly reduces the risk of the epidural catheter entering a blood vessel and 
hence the risk of intravascular administration  
• The above interventions are usually enough to minimize the risk of any hazards 
to intravascular injection that we do not normally include intravascular injection 
as part of the consent process. 
Advantages and disadvantages of having a CSE placed early  
As part of this study’s protocol, participants will have a CSE placed early. The benefits 
include having the anesthetic technique placed in the participants room, in a more 
relaxed environment and in a less rushed manner than in the operating room. The 
subject can also have their birthing partner to support them during the procedure, which 
would not be possible if the procedure were to be done in the operating room. 
There are also disadvantages of having a CSE placed early. The main disadvantage is 
likely to be a reduction in the patient’s mobility. We expect the CSE to be placed 1- 2 
hours before the scheduled cesarean delivery. During this time that the epidural pump is 
running, the subject is given instructions not to walk. Their options will be to stay on the 
bed or the chair. Any mobilization (from the bed to the chair or vice versa) will require 
the assistance of a nurse. A urinary catheter is not required.  
Research related risk to study participants include the potential for loss of 
confidentiality.  Measures to protect the confidentiality of study participants will be 
implemented as described in the Data Handling and Recordkeeping section below.  
There will be no direct benefits to the study participants; however, knowledge gained 
from the study could potentially benefit patients in the future. 
Study Medication Risks 
Lidocaine with epinephrine and chloroprocaine 
These medications are considered together as they are both local anesthetic drugs that 
will be administered through the epidural route: 
Severe allergic reactions (rare, may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) 
• 
Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. This may make it difficult to swallow. 
• 
Severe or sudden swelling of the hands, feet and ankles. 
• 
Difficulty breathing. 
• 
Severe itching of the skin (with raised lumps). 
 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 17 
 
Other possible side effects: 
• 
Numbness where the injection is given. This will go away slowly. 
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) 
• 
Low blood pressure. (causing dizziness or light-headedness). 
• 
High blood pressure. 
• 
Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting). 
• 
Pins and needles. 
• 
Feeling dizzy. 
• 
Slow heart beat. 
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) 
• 
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or being sensitive to sound. 
• 
Difficulty in speaking. 
• 
Numbness of the tongue or around the mouth. 
• 
Fits (seizures). 
• 
Feeling sleepy. 
• 
Shakiness. 
• 
Blurred vision. 
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) 
• 
Uneven heart beat (arrhythmias). 
• 
Nerve damage that may cause changes in sensation or muscle weakness 
(neuropathy). This may include peripheral nerve damage. 
• 
A condition called arachnoiditis (inflammation of a membrane that surrounds the 
spinal cord). The signs include a stinging or burning pain in the lower back or legs 
and tingling, numbness or weakness in the legs. 
• 
Double vision. 
• 
Slowed or stopped breathing or stopped heart beat. 
• 
Total spinal block  
Possible side effects seen with other local anesthetics which might also be 
caused by Lidocaine with epinephrine or chloroprocaine include: 
• Damaged nerves which may cause permanent problems. 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 18 
Side effects to the fetus: 
• Local anesthetics rapidly cross the placenta and when used for epidural, can cause 
varying degrees of fetal and neonatal toxicity. Adverse reactions in the parturient, 
fetus and neonate involve alterations of the central nervous system, peripheral 
vascular tone and cardiac function. 
• It is not known whether these drug are excreted in human milk 
Sodium Bicarbonate (frequency unknown) 
• Tissue necrosis, ulceration or sloughing has been reported following extravasation at 
the site of injection. 
• Compensatory hyperventilation, paradoxical acidosis in the cerebrospinal fluid, 
severe hypokalemia, volume overload, pulmonary oedema, shortness of breath, 
muscle weakness (associated with potassium depletion). Muscle hypertonicity, 
twitching, hyperirritability and tetany may develop especially in hypocalcaemic 
patients. Seizures may be exacerbated or precipitated in epileptic patients. 
• It is not known whether sodium bicarbonate can cause fetal harm when administered 
to a pregnant woman or whether it is excreted in human milk 
 
Fentanyl 
Very common side effects (affect more than 1 in 10 people) include:  
• muscle stiffness • feeling sick (nausea), or being sick (vomiting)  
 
Common side effects (affect less than 1 in 10 people)  
• feeling agitated • jerky or uncoordinated movements • drowsiness • dizziness • 
blurred vision, blind spots or haloes around lights (visual disturbances) • a slow 
or irregular heartbeat • unusually low or high blood pressure • pain along your 
veins • choking caused by cramping (spasm) of the muscles of your throat • 
wheezing or difficulty breathing • stopping breathing for a short period of time. If 
necessary your breathing will be helped by a machine (ventilator). • an itchy rash 
or redness of the skin • confusion  
Uncommon side effects (affect less than 1 in 100 people) include:  
• a feeling of extreme happiness (euphoria) • headache • swelling and clotting 
along a vein • changes in blood pressure • breathing faster than usual • hiccups • 
decrease in body temperature or chills • breathing complications Other side 
effects (frequency not known) include: • a serious allergic reaction (see 
symptoms above) • convulsions (fits or seizures) • loss of consciousness • 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 19 
muscle twitching • stopping of the heart (cardiac arrest) • slow or shallow 
breathing • itching of the skin 
 
Side effects to the fetus 
• In women treated acutely with IV or epidural fentanyl during labor, symptoms of 
neonatal respiratory or neurological depression were no more frequent than 
would be expected in infants of untreated mothers 
• Fentanyl is excreted into human milk and achieves levels in colostrum which are 
greater than maternal serum levels. No adverse effects have been reported in 
nursing infants. 
Risk Mitigation 
All subjects will be observed in a unit accustomed to treating patients recovering from 
surgery and anesthesia. Customary clinical care will be provided by the patient’s 
treating physician. No standard treatments will be withheld as a result of participation in 
the study.  
Drug Accountability and Subject Compliance 
This study will take place within the UAMS hospital’s labor and delivery unit. There will 
be full drug accountability throughout the study. There will be an accountability log, 
labels for each ampoule marked especially for the study (Epidural Study). Study drugs 
will be prepared by one anesthesiologist (un-blinded) and administered by another 
anesthesiologist (blinded). The dose of study solution in milliliters given to the patient 
will be documented within anesthetic record by the blinded anesthesiologists. Initially 
this will be documented only as “study solution” After completion of the study, the un-
blinded anesthesiologist will complete the anesthetic record by entering the names of 
the actual study medications given. Compliance will be confirmed by comparing the 
medical chart to the accountability logbook. 
Data Handling and Recordkeeping 
The Principal Investigator will carefully monitor study procedures to protect the safety of 
research subjects, the quality of the data and the integrity of the study.  All study subject 
material will be assigned a unique identifying code or number.  The key to the code will 
be kept in a locked file cabinet and password protected Principal Investigator’s 
computer in the Principal Investigator’s office.  Only Nadir Sharawi, MD and Jill Mhyre, 
MD will have access to the code and information that identifies the subject in this study. 
At the conclusion of the study, the data will be permanently deidentified.  Deidentified 
study data will be maintained and ultimately destroyed per UAMS policy. 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 20 
Data Analysis 
The null hypothesis is that chloroprocaine group will have a slower onset time to 
achieve loss of touch sensation at the T7 dermatome compared to the LEBF group.  
The alternative hypothesis is that the chloroprocaine group will have no difference in 
onset time to achieve loss of touch sensation at the T7 dermatome compared to the 
LEBF group.  
For statistical analysis, the Student’s t- test will be used for continuous normally 
distributed variables and the Mann-Whitney test for nonparametric variables. Linear 
regression analysis will be used to assess any relationship between the pre top-up 
parameters and the subsequent speed of onset of the block. 
Sample Size 
The sample size will be calculated for continuous outcome date for a non-inferiority 
study. We have assumed that an onset time difference of three minutes is the largest 
difference that is clinically acceptable, so that a difference of more than three minutes 
would matter in clinical practice. If there is truly no difference between the LEBF group 
and the chloroprocaine group, then 62 mother-infant dyads are required to be 90% sure 
that the lower limit of a one-sided 95% confidence interval (or equivalently a 90% two-
sided confidence interval) will be above the non-inferiority limit of 3 minutes with a 
standard deviation of 4 minutes. Therefore 31 patients will be recruited to each arm. 
Statistical significance will be taken as P < 0.05. In total, 70 female patients will be 
recruited to account for any withdrawals. 
Randomization 
Thirty-five pieces of paper will be printed for each group containing 3% Chloroprocaine 
or 2% LEBF for a total of 70.  Each of the individual piece of paper will then be placed in 
a sealed envelope.  All envelopes will be shuffled and then numbered 1 – 70. 
Patients will be assigned a number 1 – 70 as they are enrolled in the study.  The 
envelope will be obtained and opened by an un-blinded anesthesiologist revealing their 
randomization group.  The un-blinded Anesthesiologist will not be involved in the 
patient’s care or data collection. They will prepare the epidural study solution and close 
the patient’s anesthetic record at the end of the study after charting which study solution 
was administered by the blinded anesthesiologist. They will not be aware of primary 
outcome result as this will be documented on a separate data collection form. All 
members of the patient’s care team are blinded to the assignment study drug. The un-
blinded anesthesiologist will inform the clinical team which drug was used if determined 
to be clinically necessary. 
 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 21 
Withdrawal of Participants 
Subjects will have the right to withdraw from the study at any point in time and have the 
right to withdraw any accompanying data. The study has been powered to account for a 
10% withdrawal rate. 
Stopping the Study 
Epidural anesthesia will be discontinued if the woman experiences significant pain that 
is not relieved by the intraoperative analgesic supplementation described above or if the 
patient is no longer able to continue with epidural anesthesia. At this point the subjects’ 
participation is over. Depending on the clinical scenario, an alternative anesthetic 
technique will be offered, usually general anesthesia. 
Ethical Considerations 
This study will be conducted in accordance with all applicable government regulations 
and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences research policies and 
procedures.  This protocol and any amendments will be submitted and approved by the 
UAMS Institutional Review Board (IRB) to conduct the study.   
The formal consent of each subject, using the IRB-approved consent/HIPAA form, will 
be obtained before that subject is submitted to any study procedure.  All subjects for this 
study will be provided a consent/HIPAA form describing this study and providing 
sufficient information in language suitable for subjects to make an informed decision 
about their participation in this study.  The person obtaining consent will thoroughly 
explain each element of the document and outline the risks and benefits, alternate 
treatment(s), and requirements of the study.  The consent process will take place in a 
quiet and private room, and subjects may take as much time as needed to make a 
decision about their participation.  Participation privacy will be maintained and questions 
regarding participation will be answered.   No coercion or undue influence will be used 
in the consent process.  This consent/HIPAA form must be signed by the subject and 
the individual obtaining the consent.  A copy of the signed consent/HIPAA will be given 
to the participant, and the informed consent process will be documented in each 
subject’s research record.   
Dissemination of Data 
Results of this study may be used for presentations, posters, or publications. The 
publications will not contain any identifiable information that could be linked to a 
participant. 
 
 

Title:  
A Randomized, Double-blind Study Comparing 3% Chloroprocaine versus 2 % Lidocaine/ 
Epinephrine/ Bicarbonate/ Fentanyl for Epidural Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Delivery 
PI : 
Nadir Sharawi, MD 
Site: 
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
Version #: 7 
 
IRB # 207313 
Date: 3/13/2018 
Page 22 
References 
1. Hawkins, Joy L., Jeani Chang, Susan K. Palmer, Charles P. Gibbs, and William M. 
Callaghan. 2011. “Anesthesia-Related Maternal Mortality in the United States: 
1979–2002.” Obstetrics & Gynecology 117 (1). journals.lww.com: 69. 
2. Hillyard, S. G., T. E. Bate, T. B. Corcoran, M. J. Paech, and G. O’Sullivan. 2011. 
“Extending Epidural Analgesia for Emergency cesarean Section: A Meta-Analysis.” 
British Journal of Anaesthesia 107 (5). British Jrnl Anaesthesia: 668–78. 
3. Gaiser, R. R., T. G. Cheek, and B. B. Gutsche. 1994. “Epidural Lidocaine versus 2-
Chloroprocaine for Fetal Distress Requiring Urgent Cesarean Section.” International 
Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia 3 (4): 208–10. 
 
Appendices 
1. Bromage Score  
2. Neonatal Apgar Score 
3. Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)