Effects of low-dose esmolol on heart injury in elderly patients after surgery

Effects of Low-dose Esmolol on Myocardial Injury After Non-cardiac Surgery in Elderly Frail Patients:A Multicenter, Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Study

Phase 4 Interventional Qianfoshan Hospital · NCT05635877

This study is testing whether giving low-dose esmolol to older patients before non-heart surgery can help reduce heart injury compared to a placebo.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment2000 (estimated)
Ages65 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorQianfoshan Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Jinan, Shandong)
Trial IDNCT05635877 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the relationship between preoperative frailty and myocardial injury in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. It aims to identify predictive factors for myocardial injury and evaluate the impact of low-dose esmolol on reducing such injuries. Esmolol, a selective β-adrenergic receptor blocker, is administered to manage heart rate and reduce myocardial oxygen consumption during the perioperative period. The study will compare outcomes between patients receiving esmolol and those receiving a placebo.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are elderly patients aged 65 and older with a modified frailty index of 0.21 or higher who are scheduled for non-cardiac surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of myocardial infarction, significant cardiac insufficiency, or severe lung disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved cardiac outcomes and reduced myocardial injury in frail elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for the use of β-blockers like esmolol in reducing perioperative myocardial ischemia, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 65 years;
2. ASA: ⅰ-ⅳ;
3. Modified frailty index (mFI) ≥ 0.21;
4. Patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Refuse to participate;
2. Expected hospital stay \<3 days;
3. Preoperative β-blocker therapy;
4. History of myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease;
5. Preoperative bradycardia (heart rate \[HR\] \< 50 bpm) or arrhythmia;
6. Significant cardiac insufficiency (i.e., pulmonary artery pressure \>18 mm Hg, cardiac index ≤ 2.2 L/min/m 2);
7. Severe valvular heart disease;
8. Severe lung disease (e.g. asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
9. Patients with perioperative troponin elevation due to nonischemic causes (e.g., sepsis, pulmonary embolism, arrhythmia);
10. The same patient can only be included once, regardless of whether the reason for the second operation is related to the first cause.

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Where this trial is running

Jinan, Shandong

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 FrailtyEsmololMyocardial Injurymyocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery, MINS
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.