Using IV acetaminophen to prevent delirium after heart surgery in older patients

Scheduled Prophylactic 6-hourly IV Acetaminophen to Prevent Postoperative Delirium in Older Cardiac Surgical Patients

NIH-funded research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-10761741

This study is looking at whether giving older adults IV acetaminophen every six hours after heart surgery can help prevent confusion and disorientation, known as delirium, in the first couple of days after their operation.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10761741 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates whether administering IV acetaminophen every six hours can help prevent postoperative delirium in older adults who undergo cardiac surgery. The study will involve a randomized, triple-blind clinical trial with 900 participants aged 60 and older, focusing on the first 48 hours after surgery. By addressing factors like inflammation and pain management, the research aims to reduce the incidence and severity of delirium, which is a common complication in this patient population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 60 and above who are scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 60 or those not undergoing cardiac surgery may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the occurrence of postoperative delirium, improving recovery and overall outcomes for older cardiac surgery patients.

How similar studies have performed: While few pharmacological interventions have been tested for this purpose, the use of acetaminophen in this context is a novel approach that has not been extensively studied.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions acute disease/disorderacute disorderAcute Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.