Using a nerve block to manage pain after heart surgery

Rectus Sheath Block in Cardiac Surgery

Not applicable Interventional Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NCT05833048

This study tests if a nerve block can help heart surgery patients feel less pain and use fewer painkillers after their operation.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment75 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Academic / other
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
Trial IDNCT05833048 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Rectus Sheath Block in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the nerve block or standard care without it. The study aims to determine if this regional anesthesia technique can lead to lower pain scores and reduced reliance on opioids after surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-85 scheduled for cardiac procedures involving chest tubes.

Not a fit: Patients with urgent surgery needs, severe comorbidities, or contraindications to local anesthesia may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve pain management and reduce opioid use in cardiac surgery patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that regional anesthesia techniques can effectively manage postoperative pain, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Adults 18-85 years old
  2. Scheduled to undergo cardiac procedures involving chest tubes
  3. Male or female

Exclusion Criteria:

* An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

  1. ASA class V
  2. Urgent or emergent surgery
  3. Contraindications to administration of local anesthesia (e.g. local anesthetic allergy)
  4. History of substance abuse or chronic opioid use
  5. Patient refusal or inability to consent

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

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 Cardiac DiseasePostoperative Paincardiac surgeryregional anesthesia
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.