Nerve blocks may cut opioid use after Open-Heart surgery
NCT ID NCT04985500
First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two types of nerve blocks—erector spinae plane (ESP) block and pecto-intercostal fascial (PIF) block—against standard care for controlling pain after heart surgery through the breastbone. About 225 adults aged 18–85 having planned cardiac surgery with a sternotomy will be randomly assigned to receive one of the blocks or no block. The main goal is to see if the blocks reduce opioid painkiller use and pain scores in the first 72 hours 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
- What this could lead to
- If successful, these nerve blocks could become a standard way to control pain after heart surgery, reducing the need for opioids.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with a modest number of participants. The blocks may not provide significant pain relief over standard care, and there is a small risk of local anesthetic toxicity.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CARDIAC SURGERY are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital
New York, New York, 10025, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could continuing a common heart drug before surgery save lives?
- Could waking up in the operating room speed heart surgery recovery?
- Can a simple frailty check predict how well seniors recover from heart surgery?
- Could a simple scheduling change ease heart surgery nerves?
- Can a steady drip of local anesthetic speed recovery after open-heart surgery?
- Calcium timing during bypass may cut need for heart drugs