Could a simple nerve block cut opioid use after heart surgery?
NCT ID NCT06077422
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a nerve block given before heart surgery can reduce pain and the need for opioid painkillers afterward. About 150 adults having heart surgery will receive either a long-acting or standard form of the numbing drug bupivacaine via ultrasound-guided injection. Researchers will track how much opioid medication patients need in the first five days after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- bupivacaine (as liposomal or standard injection)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a better way to manage pain after heart surgery, reducing the need for strong opioids.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study, so results may not apply to all patients. The nerve block may not provide significant benefit over standard care.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Rutgers RWJMS
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08903, United States
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