ESP Versus PIFB for Analgesia in Open Cardiac Surgery: a Randomized Control Trial

Last updated: February 22, 2026
Sponsor: Taichung Veterans General Hospital
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Pain

Treatment

Pecto-intercostal fascial plane blok (PIFB)

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB)

Clinical Study ID

NCT06322810
ESP vs. PIFB
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This clinical trial compares analgesia efficiency and recovery outcomes between two different fascial plane block techniques (ESPB vs.PIFB) in cardiac surgery patients participant population/health conditions].

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does ESPB provide superior analgesia than PIFB

  • Do patients who receive ESPB have better recovery outcomes

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults patients, elective and first-time cardiac surgery patients undergoingtraditional sternotomy. Procedures include coronary artery bypass surgery, valverepair or replacement surgery, atrial and ventricular septal defect repair surgery,and other open-heart surgeries.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

    1. Emergency surgery 2. Anticipated combined major aortic vascular surgery 3.Already admitted to the ICU or on a ventilator before surgery.

Study Design

Total Participants: 80
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Pecto-intercostal fascial plane blok (PIFB)
Phase:
Study Start date:
November 08, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2026

Study Description

Regional nerve blocks, including Pecto-intercostal block (PIFB) and Erector spinae plane block (ESPB), can provide a certain level of analgesia for thoracic and cardiac surgeries. This study focuses on patients undergoing their first conventional sternotomy for cardiac surgery. They are randomly assigned to receive either PIFB or ESPB for pain relief. Comparisons are made between the two groups for postoperative 48-hour analgesic medication requirements, static and dynamic postoperative pain scores, improvements in postoperative respiratory function, quality of life index (QoL15), and other clinically relevant prognostic indicators.

Connect with a study center

  • Taichung Veterans General Hospital

    Taichung 1668399, Taiwan 7280291 407
    Taiwan

    Active - Recruiting

  • Taichung Veterans General Hospital

    Taichung, 407
    Taiwan

    Site Not Available

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