Comparing Etomidate and Propofol for Anesthesia in Heart Surgery

Etomidate Versus Propofol As An Anesthesia Induction Agent For Patients Undergoing CABG Surgery, Assessing Hemodynamic Stability. A Single Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Phase 4 Interventional Hartford Hospital · NCT06068764

This study is testing whether etomidate or propofol works better as anesthesia for heart surgery patients and how it affects their recovery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorHartford Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hartford, Connecticut)
Trial IDNCT06068764 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and long-term safety of etomidate versus propofol as anesthesia induction agents in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either etomidate or propofol, and the study will assess their need for vasopressor or ionotropic agents during and after surgery. Key factors such as hemodynamic stability, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU and hospital stays will be compared between the two groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients scheduled for elective CABG surgery with ASA physical status scores I-IV who can communicate in English or Spanish.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing emergency CABG surgery or those with specific medical conditions such as adrenocortical insufficiency or known allergies to the study drugs may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved anesthesia management and outcomes for patients undergoing CABG surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have explored the use of different anesthesia agents in cardiac surgery, but this specific comparison of etomidate and propofol is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients scheduled for elective open coronary arteries bypass graft CABG surgery
2. Patients with American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status score I- IV
3. Patients with the ability to speak and read both English and Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Emergency CABG surgery, STAT cases, and add-on cases.
2. Refusal or lack of providing the study consent
3. Patients with a known current adrenocortical insufficiency
4. A patient who is presenting with any kind of shock, (e.g. septic, hypovolemic, cardiogenic, etc.)
5. Patients with chronic steroid use (defined as the use of glucocorticoids within 6 months preoperatively)
6. Patients with a known allergy to etomidate or propofol.
7. Patients with a known seizure disorder.
8. Patients who are enrolled in other clinical research studies that can compete with this study.

Where this trial is running

Hartford, Connecticut

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Coronary Artery DiseaseCABG surgeryEtomidatePropofolgeneral anesthesia induction agenatscardiothoracic anesthesia
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.