Simple surgical trick may prevent dangerous heart rhythm after bypass or valve surgery

NCT ID NCT06728826

First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether making a small opening in the sac around the heart (posterior pericardiotomy) during heart surgery can prevent a common complication called atrial fibrillation. About 650 adults in China having surgery on the heart's valves, coronary arteries, or aorta will be randomly assigned to receive the procedure or not. The main goal is to see if it reduces cases of atrial fibrillation within 30 days 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
a surgical procedure called posterior pericardiotomy, where a small opening is made in the sac around the heart to drain fluid
What this could lead to
If effective, this simple surgical step could become a standard way to prevent a common and serious heart-rhythm problem after cardiac surgery.
What could go wrong
This is a single-country trial, so results may not apply everywhere. The procedure also carries risks like bleeding or infection, and it may not reduce atrial fibrillation as hoped.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

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: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Changhai Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Shanghai, 200433, China

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

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