Heart surgery pain study pulled before it began
NCT ID NCT04788056
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study aimed to see if a nerve block called a parasternal subpectoral plane block could reduce pain and the need for opioids after heart surgery. It planned to compare a numbing medicine (bupivacaine) to a saltwater placebo in about 100 adults having elective heart surgery. However, the study was withdrawn before enrolling any participants, so no results are available.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- bupivacaine
- What this could lead to
- If it had worked, this could have pointed toward a way to reduce pain and opioid use after heart surgery.
- What could go wrong
- The study was withdrawn before it started, so no results are available. Even if conducted, it was a small early-stage trial, and the nerve block might not have worked better than a placebo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Expected to start
-
Jun 2021
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Jun 2023
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 80 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or Female 2. Aged 18 - 80 years 3. scheduled for primary elective cardiac surgery via median sternotomy 4. willingness to undergo psychosocial testing 5. willingness to participate in long-term follow up 6. willingness to be randomized to receive local anesthetic or saline infusion through PSPB catheters 7. access to an email and computer Exclusion Criteria: 1. Allergy to opioids 2. allergy to bupivacaine 3. emergency surgery 4. unable to provide informed consent 5. weight less than 50kg
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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.
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