New pain block after heart surgery aims to cut opioid use

NCT ID NCT06028126

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Unity Health Toronto Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether a nerve block placed near the breastbone after heart surgery can reduce the need for opioid painkillers. 340 adults having heart surgery through a standard chest incision were randomly assigned to receive either the numbing drug ropivacaine or a saltwater placebo through small tubes placed under the skin. The main goal was to measure total opioid use 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: ropivacaine
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a way to reduce opioid use and improve pain control after heart surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but the intervention is a local anesthetic block that may not significantly reduce opioid use compared to placebo. Results may not apply to all heart surgery patients.

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.

Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome Emergence Delirium opiate dependence Pain, Postoperative

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ANESTHESIA, LOCAL CHRONIC PAIN OPIOID-USE DISORDER POST OPERATIVE DELIRIUM POST-CARDIAC SURGERY POST-OPERATIVE PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Foothills Medical Centre

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
QEII Health Sciences Centre

Halifax, Nova Scotia, NS B3H 3A7, Canada
Royal Columbian Hospital

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
St. Michael's Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada

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