Pericardiotomy in Cardiac Surgery

Launched by POPULATION HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE · Jun 27, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The PRINCE trial is a study looking at a specific surgical technique called posterior pericardiotomy, which is performed during cardiac surgery. This trial is aimed at understanding whether this technique can help patients who do not have a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter—conditions that affect the heart's rhythm—when they are undergoing surgery on their heart or major blood vessels. The trial is open to adults aged 18 and older who need surgery on the aorta, heart valves, or coronary arteries and can give their consent.

If you or a family member are considering participating in this trial, it's important to know that you must not have had any previous episodes of atrial fibrillation or flutter, and certain types of heart surgeries are not included. Participants can expect to be part of a randomized controlled study, meaning they have a chance to receive either the standard care or the new surgical technique being studied. This research is being conducted at multiple centers, and it aims to find out if the new approach can improve outcomes for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients greater than or equal to 18 years of age
• • Requiring surgical intervention on the proximal aorta, cardiac valves, and/or coronary arteries
• • Able to provide informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of atrial fibrillation or flutter
• • Cardiac surgery procedures not included in the inclusion criteria (planned ventricular assistance device, aortic arch, transplantation surgery)
• • Prior cardiac surgery requiring opening of the pericardium
• • Previous surgical instrumentation of the left pleural cavity
• • Patient undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery