Can a sleep drug prevent ICU delirium in older heart patients?

NCT ID NCT04092894

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether the sleep medication suvorexant (Belsomra) can help older adults sleep better and reduce confusion after heart surgery. One hundred patients aged 60 and older received either suvorexant or a placebo for seven nights in the ICU. Researchers measured sleep quality with brain monitors and tracked episodes of delirium.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: suvorexant (Belsomra)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to improve sleep and reduce confusion after heart surgery in older adults.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 100 participants. The results may not apply to all ICU patients, and suvorexant may cause side effects like daytime drowsiness.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

coronary artery disorder delirium Emergence Delirium insomnia Sleep Deprivation sleep disorder, initiating and maintaining sleep

As listed by the trial registrant

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

INSOMNIA POSTOPERATIVE DELIRIUM SLEEP FRAGMENTATION SLEEP INITIATION AND MAINTENANCE DISORDERS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein college of Medicine

The Bronx, New York, 10467, United States

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