Can a Blood-Vessel drug shield weak hearts during surgery?

NCT ID NCT00744211

Completed Disease control Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 13, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether giving a drug called sitaxsentan during and after heart bypass surgery can improve blood flow and heart function in patients with a weakened heart (low ejection fraction). The drug blocks a hormone that can narrow blood vessels and strain the heart after surgery. Participants receive either a low dose, a higher dose, or a placebo (saline) around the time of surgery, and researchers measure how well the heart's blood vessels respond.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: sitaxsentan sodium (an experimental drug that blocks a hormone involved in blood vessel narrowing)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to protect the heart and improve recovery in people with weak hearts undergoing bypass surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study, so results may not apply to everyone. The drug may not improve outcomes and could have side effects, especially related to blood pressure or liver function.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HEART DISEASE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

heart disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

HEART DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC

Charleston, South Carolina, 29401-5799, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.