Bilateral paravertebral block for improved recovery after open heart surgery
Explore if paravertebral nerve blocks (a proven pain control method) done before open cardiac surgery, works well for improving patients quality of recovery and satisfaction.
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About the study
Principal investigator
Dr. Terry Sun
Cardiac Anesthesiologist
Area(s) of medical focus
Heart
Surgical
Condition(s)
Coronary artery disease
Heart valve disorders
Nerve conditions
Period of enrollment
2023-10-09 - 2026-10-09
Participating sites
St. Paul's Hospital
Purpose of trial
The purpose of this study is to see if a nerve block called paravertebral block, done before the surgery, works well for improving pain control and overall satisfaction after heart surgery.
As a background, paravertebral blocks are widely used in anesthesia for pain control after thoracic and breast surgery. This block has been safely used in patients undergoing heart surgery and found to be anecdotally useful. We want to formally test if this nerve block compared to no nerve block can help patients to recover after cardiac surgery.
Pain after cardiac surgery can be severe in the first 2 days. Classically we use opioids/narcotics to treat pain but it can be associated with nausea, vomiting, delirium, sedation and constipation. Nerve blocks have the potential to provide better pain relief with improved side effect profile.
Patients will be randomized to get the paravertebral block or a sham block, where we inject salt water into their back muscle. It is a randomized and blinded controlled trial.
Eligibility
- Age 19 years or older
- Scheduled for open heart surgery
- English-speaking
- Pass a cognitive screening test
Poster
Contact information
Additional Information
Study Phase
Phase 4/ Post Market