Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Nerve Block and Perioperative Myocardial Injury in Elderly Hip Fracture

500 participantsStarted 2026-07-15

Plain-language summary

This single-center, retrospective cohort study evaluates whether a single preoperative peripheral nerve block can reduce the risk of perioperative myocardial injury in elderly patients undergoing delayed hip fracture surgery, defined as surgery performed more than 48 hours after injury. Hip fracture is a serious and common injury in older adults worldwide. When surgery cannot be performed within the recommended 48-hour window, patients face a much higher risk of heart muscle damage (myocardial injury), which is strongly linked to increased complications and death. Peripheral nerve blocks are a standard, safe method for pain control in hip fracture care, but their potential protective effect on the heart has not been specifically studied in patients with delayed surgery. This study will review medical records of patients aged 65 years and older who received hip fracture surgery at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2025, with time from injury to surgery longer than 48 hours. Patients who received a single peripheral nerve block before surgery will be compared with patients who did not receive any peripheral nerve block. The main measure of the study is the rate of myocardial injury during hospital stay, detected by elevated troponin levels in routine blood tests. The study will also examine new-onset myocardial injury within 72 hours after surgery, major heart-related adverse events and all-cause death within 30 days after surgery, length of hospital stay, and other common postoperative complications. Researchers will also explore whether the timing of nerve block placement and different block techniques have different heart-protective effects. The findings may provide evidence for a simple, safe and practical strategy to reduce heart complications in older hip fracture patients who cannot receive timely surgery, and help clinicians improve perioperative care for this high-risk population.

Who can participate

Age range

65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 65 years * Radiological evidence of non-pathological hip fractures (femoral neck, intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures) * Time from injury to surgery \> 48 hours * Underwent general anesthesia or intraspinal anesthesia * Had at least one troponin I/T test result during preoperative or postoperative hospitalization Exclusion Criteria: * Preoperative presence of acute myocardial infarction (onset \< 7 days), acute heart failure or sepsis * Multiple fractures or concurrent surgeries at other sites * Neuroblock as the sole anesthesia method * Continuous nerve block or epidural analgesia * Severe lack of key variables

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

The incidence of myocardial injury during the postoperative hospital stay

Timeframe: Before the operation, 24 hours after the operation, 48 hours after the operation, 72 hours after the operation; at discharge (up to 2 weeks); 30 days after the operation

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07751146

SponsorTongji Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2027-07-05

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Hip Fracture trials