Heart surgery pain study pulled before it began

NCT ID NCT04788056

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study aimed to see if a nerve block called a parasternal subpectoral plane block could reduce pain and the need for opioids after heart surgery. It planned to compare a numbing medicine (bupivacaine) to a saltwater placebo in about 100 adults having elective heart surgery. However, the study was withdrawn before enrolling any participants, so no results are available.

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 it had worked, this could have pointed toward a way to reduce pain and opioid use after heart surgery.
What could go wrong
The study was withdrawn before it started, so no results are available. Even if conducted, it was a small early-stage trial, and the nerve block might not have worked better than a placebo.

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.

Pain, Postoperative

As listed by the trial registrant

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

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