Heart surgery without morphine: safer or not?

NCT ID NCT04940689

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University Hospital, Rouen Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tested whether avoiding morphine during heart surgery could reduce common complications like breathing problems, confusion, and gut issues. 268 adults having planned heart surgery were randomly assigned to receive either standard morphine-based anesthesia or a combination of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine. The researchers tracked major complications in the first 48 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: Dexmedetomidine and lidocaine (instead of morphine)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could lead to safer anesthesia for heart surgery patients, with fewer side effects like breathing trouble or confusion.
What could go wrong: This is a single completed study with 268 people. Results may not apply to all heart surgeries, and the new drugs have their own risks like low blood pressure or slow heart rate.

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.

coronary artery disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ANESTHESIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Amiens Univesrity Hospital

Amiens, France
CAEN university Hospital

Caen, France
Lille Hopistal University

Lille, France
Montpellier University Hospital

Montpellier, France
Rouen University Hospital

Rouen, France, Normandy, 76031, France

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