Dexmedetomidine Combined With Bupivacaine in Ultrasound-guided Pecto-Intercostal Fascial Block in Cardiac Surgery

Launched by ALEXANDRIA UNIVERSITY · Jun 14, 2025

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ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new way to help manage pain after heart surgery. It focuses on a technique called the pecto-intercostal fascial plane block (PIFPB), where a local numbing medicine is carefully placed near certain chest muscles using ultrasound guidance. This helps numb the nerves that carry pain signals from the chest area, especially around the breastbone. The study is testing whether adding a medicine called dexmedetomidine can make the pain relief stronger and last longer after surgery.

Adults aged 18 to 60 who are scheduled for planned heart surgery using a heart-lung machine may be able to join this study. To participate, patients should be in generally stable health (classified as ASA II or III) and not have serious liver, kidney, or heart failure problems. People with allergies to the study medicines, those who have had previous chest surgeries, or those who use long-term pain medications would not be eligible. If you take part, you can expect to receive the nerve block during your surgery to help control pain afterward, with the goal of making recovery more comfortable and possibly speeding up your healing process.

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 18-60 years.
• • 2. Both sexes.
• • 3. ASA physical status class II or III.
• • 4. Elective fast-tracking on-pump cardiac surgery.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. The patient refused to participate in the study.
• • 2. Cognitive impairment or mental disorders.
• • 3. Hepatic and renal impairment.
• • 4. Congestive heart failure.
• • 5. Urgent/emergent surgery.
• • 6. BMI \<18 and \>35 (kg/m2).
• • 7. Documented allergy to local anaesthetics or dexmedetomidine.
• • 8. Use of chronic pain medications.
• • 9. Previous sternotomy or chest surgery.
• • 10. Patients with a history of substance abuse.
• • 11. Requires the use of mechanical circulatory support pre-operatively.
• • 12. Patients who will not be candidates for fast-tracking extubation after block administration.