Can a sleep drug prevent ICU delirium in older heart patients?
NCT ID NCT04092894
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.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein college of Medicine
The Bronx, New York, 10467, United States