Cryoanalgesia Study

Intraoperative Cryoanalgesia for Pain Management After Sternotomy: A Randomized Pilot Trial

This study will investigate the feasibility of cryoanalgesia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery via a median sternotomy. Cryoanalgesia is a technique that uses extremely cold temperatures to temporarily ablate nerves and block pain signals. Cryoanalgesia has been used for decades for pain control after thoracic surgery and has been associated with decreased opioid consumption, decreased pain scores, and shorter hospital stays. The results of this study may lead to a useful alternative for pain control in cardiac surgery patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Scheduled for elective CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) or single valve surgery via median sternotomy
• Reasonable expectation to be extubated within 24 hours postop

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior history of surgery to the thorax (sternotomy, thoracotomy, thoracoscopy)
• Hemisternotomy approach
• History of cold urticaria, cryoglobulinemia, Raynaud's disease, or diabetic neuropathy
• Preoperative use of opioids
• History of chronic pain or associated syndromes
• Concurrent Cox maze procedure
• Need for post-bypass mechanical circulatory support (ECMO, IABP) or open chest
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Patients who are unable to consent for themselves