AuthorisedTherapeutic use (Phase IV)Interventional

EFFICACY OF INFILTRATED MEPIVACAINE AS A LOCAL ANESTHETIC PRIOR TO ARTERIAL PUNCTURE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

This research wants to find out if a numbing medicine called Mepivacaine can make a specific blood test, known as an arterial puncture, less painful for people with breathing conditions. During an arterial puncture, a small amount of blood is taken directly from an artery to measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood. This test, often called a 'blood gas analysis,' is important for understanding how well your lungs are working. The study will compare Mepivacaine to a saline solution (a salty water solution that doesn't numb) and to simply having no numbing medicine at all, to see which approach causes the least pain during the procedure.

At a glance

Status

Authorised

Phase

Therapeutic use (Phase IV)

Sponsor

University Of The Basque Country

Enrolment target

108

Start

28 Jan 2026

Respiratory disease. Prescripcion o indicación de gasometría.

What is this study about?

This study is designed to help make a common but sometimes uncomfortable procedure, an arterial puncture, easier for patients. An arterial puncture is a special type of blood test where blood is taken from an artery, rather than a vein. It’s often used for people with breathing problems to check how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in their blood. This information is really important for doctors to understand lung health and make the best decisions about treatment.

Because taking blood from an artery can be more sensitive than taking it from a vein, some people find it painful. This study aims to see if applying a numbing medicine, called Mepivacaine, to the skin right before the needle goes in can reduce this pain. They want to know if it's better than not using any numbing medicine, or using a 'dummy' solution (a saltwater solution that feels like medicine but doesn't actually numb).

This is a 'Phase IV' study, which means the medicine (Mepivacaine) is already approved and used for other things. Researchers are now looking at how well it works specifically for numbing the skin before an arterial puncture. The goal is to find the best way to make this necessary medical test as comfortable as possible for you.

Key takeaways

This study aims to make arterial blood tests less painful.
It compares a numbing medicine (Mepivacaine) to a dummy treatment or no treatment.
It's for adults with breathing problems needing an arterial puncture.
Participation involves receiving one of three treatments by chance before your blood test.
Your feedback on pain will help improve future patient comfort.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an adult, 18 years old or older. The study is open to both men and women.

You also need to be a patient attending the Pulmonology (lung specialist) Outpatient Clinic at Galdakao-Usansolo Hospital. This means you will likely have a breathing condition that requires you to have an arterial puncture.

The main thing is that you'll be needing an arterial puncture for a blood gas analysis as part of your regular medical care. The study will then look at how to make that specific procedure more comfortable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a breathing condition?
Are you a patient at Galdakao-Usansolo Hospital's lung clinic?
Are you due to have an arterial puncture to check your blood gases?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be randomly assigned to one of three groups. This means it's like a lottery – you could receive the numbing medicine (Mepivacaine), a salt-water solution that won't numb the area (a placebo), or no numbing treatment at all before your arterial puncture. You won't know which group you're in, and neither will the healthcare staff giving you the treatment, until after the procedure is done.

Before your arterial puncture, a small injection will be given just under your skin in the area where the blood will be taken, or no injection will be given at all, depending on your assigned group. After the blood sample is taken, you will be asked to report your pain level. There are no extra hospital visits or long-term follow-up beyond your standard care. The total duration of your participation in the study is just for the single arterial puncture procedure and the immediate pain assessment.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of taking part is that you might receive the numbing medicine, which could make your arterial puncture less painful. Even if you don't receive the numbing medicine, your participation helps researchers learn how to improve comfort for future patients. Potential risks are generally low, as the numbing medicine is commonly used. You might feel a brief sting from the numbing injection itself, and there's always a small chance of bruising, bleeding, or a minor infection at the injection or puncture site, similar to any injection or blood test. However, you are always free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

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Unverified
Spain

Common questions

What is an arterial puncture?

It's a special blood test where blood is taken from an artery, usually in your wrist, to check oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood.

What is Mepivacaine?

Mepivacaine is a medicine used to numb a small area of the body, similar to the injections dentists use to numb your mouth.

Will I definitely get the numbing medicine?

No, you have an equal chance of getting the numbing medicine, a dummy treatment (placebo), or no treatment, as it's decided by chance.

How long will I be in the study?

Your participation is very short – just for the single arterial puncture procedure and telling us about your pain right after.

Can I stop participating if I change my mind?

Yes, you can withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.