Brain monitor reveals hidden risks of sedation after heart surgery
NCT ID NCT07350109
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study observed 50 heart surgery patients in the ICU to see how often they were deeply sedated using a brain activity monitor (BIS). The monitor readings were hidden from doctors, so they didn't affect care. The goal was to understand if deep sedation affects recovery time, infections, or confusion. Results may help improve sedation practices in the future.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to better sedation guidelines for ICU patients after heart surgery, potentially reducing complications like delirium or infections.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small observational study with only 50 patients, so results may not apply to all hospitals or patients. It does not test a new treatment, so direct benefits are limited.
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.
- Participants
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50 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2025
- Finished
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Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
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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.
Who is studied
patients admitted to the ICU following cardiac surgery. These patients are expected to require invasive mechanical ventilation and continuous sedation for more than 6 hours postoperatively.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * Age ≥ 18 years. * Undergoing cardiac surgery with subsequent admission to the ICU * expected duration of invasive mechanical ventilation \> 6 hours postop. * Written informed consent obtained from the patient or legal representative (if the patient is not capable of consent). Exclusion Criteria: * Pre-existing neurological disorders affecting consciousness or sedation assessment (e.g., severe dementia, epileptic encephalopathy). * Acute neurological events in the perioperative period (e.g., stroke, intracranial hemorrhage). * Severe hepatic dysfunction (Child-Pugh Class C). * Participation in another interventional study potentially affecting sedation or cognitive outcomes. * Pregnancy or lactation. * Patients in whom short-term survival is deemed unlikely due to clinical course
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Klinikum Wels
Wels, Upper Austria, 4600, Austria
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Medical University Graz
Graz, Styria, 8010, Austria