NCT07376577

Brief Summary

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a key technique for treating pancreatobiliary diseases in the elderly. However, traditional sedative and analgesic regimens (e.g., sufentanil combined with propofol) are associated with a high incidence of respiratory depression, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and delayed recovery in elderly patients. Anricofen is a novel peripherally selective κ-opioid receptor agonist that provides analgesia with minimal central respiratory depression. Ciprofol is a new sedative agent characterized by rapid onset and quick recovery. The combination of these two drugs may offer a safer sedation and analgesia regimen for elderly patients undergoing ERCP. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anricofen combined with ciprofol for deep sedation in elderly patients undergoing ERCP, compared with the traditional regimen (sufentanil combined with ciprofol). Methods: This is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. A total of 141 elderly patients aged 60-90 years with ASA physical status II-III scheduled for elective ERCP will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to three groups: Anricofen 0.3 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kg, Anricofen 0.5 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kg, or Sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kg. The primary efficacy endpoint is the intraoperative pain control success rate (proportion of time with Behavioral Pain Scale \[BPS\] score ≤3 ≥90%). The primary safety endpoint is the incidence of respiratory depression (respiratory rate \<10 breaths/min or SpO₂ \<90% requiring intervention). Secondary outcomes include sedation depth, body movement episodes, recovery time, PONV incidence, and others. Significance: This study aims to provide a sedation and analgesia regimen with lower risk of respiratory depression and faster recovery for elderly patients undergoing ERCP.

Trial Health

65
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Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
141

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
24mo left

Started Jan 2026

Typical duration for not_applicable

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress15%
Jan 2026May 2028

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2026

Completed
15 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 16, 2026

Completed
13 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 29, 2026

Completed
2.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 1, 2028

Expected
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 1, 2028

Last Updated

January 29, 2026

Status Verified

January 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2.2 years

First QC Date

January 16, 2026

Last Update Submit

January 26, 2026

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Intraoperative Pain Control Success Rate

    During the ERCP procedure (from induction to end of procedure)

Study Arms (3)

Anricofen 0.3 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kg

EXPERIMENTAL
Drug: AnricofenDrug: Ciprofol

Anricofen 0.5 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kg

EXPERIMENTAL
Drug: AnricofenDrug: Ciprofol

Sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kg

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive intravenous sufentanil at a dose of 0.1 μg/kg (standard clinical dose) combined with ciprofol at 1.0 mg/kg for induction of deep sedation prior to ERCP. This regimen serves as the active control. Supplemental doses (one-third of the initial sufentanil dose and one-fourth of the initial ciprofol dose) may be administered during the procedure if needed based on behavioral pain score (BPS \>3) or body movements.

Drug: SufentanilDrug: Anricofen

Interventions

Sufentanil is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic acting primarily on μ-opioid receptors. It is commonly used for analgesia during surgical and endoscopic procedures. In this study, it serves as the active comparator in combination with ciprofol. It is administered intravenously.

Sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kg

Anricofen is a novel peripherally selective κ-opioid receptor agonist. It provides analgesia primarily through peripheral mechanisms with minimal central nervous system penetration, thereby reducing the risk of respiratory depression and addiction compared to traditional μ-opioid agonists. It is administered intravenously.

Anricofen 0.3 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kgAnricofen 0.5 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kgSufentanil 0.1 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kg

Ciprofol is a novel intravenous sedative agent with higher lipophilicity than propofol, leading to faster onset and recovery. It exhibits less cardiovascular depression compared to propofol and is suitable for procedural sedation, particularly in elderly patients. It is administered intravenously.

Anricofen 0.3 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kgAnricofen 0.5 μg/kg + Ciprofol 1.0 mg/kg

Eligibility Criteria

Age60 Years - 90 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age 60-90 years.
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II or III.
  • Scheduled for elective endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
  • Body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kg/m².
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • Severe neurological disorders (acute stroke, uncontrolled seizures, epilepsy).
  • Psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score \<24).
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (preoperative blood pressure ≥180/110 mmHg) or hypotension (\<90/60 mmHg).
  • Severe cardiac disease: sinus bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome, unstable angina, or myocardial infarction within the past 3 months.
  • Severe hepatic or renal dysfunction.
  • Difficult airway or severe respiratory disease.
  • Achalasia.
  • Known allergy to anricofen, sufentanil, ciprofol, or other study medications.
  • Use of opioid analgesics or sedatives within 7 days prior to surgery.
  • Preoperative pulse oxygen saturation (SpO₂) \<90% on room air.
  • Pregnancy or lactation.
  • Participation in any other drug clinical trial within the past 3 months.
  • Refusal to participate in the study.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Sufentanil(2-(1R)-1-cyclopropyl)ethyl-6-isopropyl-phenol

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

FentanylPiperidinesHeterocyclic Compounds, 1-RingHeterocyclic Compounds

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 16, 2026

First Posted

January 29, 2026

Study Start

January 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2028

Last Updated

January 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01