Sleep drug may shield Seniors' brains after heart surgery

NCT ID NCT06192615

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

    Contact

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

    Contact

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States

    Contact

  • Columbia University Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

    Contact

  • Duke University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States

    Contact

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

    Contact

  • Montefiore Medical Center

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    The Bronx, New York, 10467, United States

    Contact

  • Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

    Contact

  • University of California San Francisco

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    San Francisco, California, 94117, United States

    Contact

  • University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Iowa City, Iowa, 522421320, United States

    Contact

  • University of Maryland School of Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States

    Contact

  • University of Nebraska Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States

    Contact

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States

    Contact

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

    Contact