Could a common heart drug ease surgery risks for PTSD patients?
NCT ID NCT01555554
First seen Jul 02, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether taking propranolol, a beta blocker, before and after surgery can reduce complications like delirium, kidney problems, and pain in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants are veterans scheduled for certain surgeries and will take the drug or a placebo for 14 days. The goal is to see if calming the body's stress response can lead to better surgical outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Propranolol (a beta blocker)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a way to improve surgical recovery and reduce complications for people with PTSD.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial, so results may not apply to everyone. Propranolol can cause side effects like low blood pressure and fatigue.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
San Francisco VA Medical Center
San Francisco, California, 94121, United States
More trials for these conditions
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- Can a therapy that tackles both PTSD and everyday stress help those most at risk?