Sleep drug may shield Seniors' brains after heart surgery

NCT ID NCT06192615

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tests whether a drug called dexmedetomidine, which promotes sleep, can prevent delirium (sudden confusion) in patients aged 60 and older after heart surgery. Delirium is common in the ICU and can lead to longer hospital stays and worse recovery. The trial will compare the drug to a placebo in 1800 participants to see if it helps protect brain function.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Dexmedetomidine (Precedex)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a way to prevent delirium and improve recovery in older adults after heart surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a large phase 3 trial, but delirium is complex and the drug may not work for everyone. Side effects like low blood pressure or slow heart rate are possible.

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.

delirium

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DELIRIUM

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Brigham and Women's Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States
Columbia University Medical Center
RECRUITING

New York, New York, 10032, United States
Duke University Hospital
RECRUITING

Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Montefiore Medical Center
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

The Bronx, New York, 10467, United States
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
RECRUITING

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
University of California San Francisco
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

San Francisco, California, 94117, United States
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
RECRUITING

Iowa City, Iowa, 522421320, United States
University of Maryland School of Medicine
RECRUITING

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
University of Nebraska Medical Center
RECRUITING

Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
RECRUITING

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
Washington University School of Medicine
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

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