Korean J Anesthesiol.  2000 Dec;39(6):798-803. 10.4097/kjae.2000.39.6.798.

The Effect of a Left Stellate Ganglion Block on Left Ventricular Function

• Han JU
• Chung CK
• Kim TJ
• Lee CS
• Cha YD
• Oh JD
• Lim HK
• Seo JK
• Kim DH
• Lee CH

• KMID: 2091569
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2000.39.6.798

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a sympathetic nerve block method which has been used most frequently in pain clinics due to its wide range of indications. However, SGB leads to regional sympathetic denervation of the heart and to changes in the hemodynamics. The aim of this study was to compare hemodynamic effects as well as echocardiographic changes after a left SGB (LSGB).
METHODS
Fourteen healthy male volunteers were studied. The LSGB was performed with 1% mepicacaine 6 ml. Arterial blood pressure, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables were measured before the LSGB, 15 and 30 minutes after the LSGB.
RESULTS
Arterial blood pressure, ejection fraction and transmitral inflow velocity variables showed no significant changes compared to pre-LSGB values. P-P interval increased significantly 15 minutes after the LSGB, and the Q-T interval increased significantly 30 minutes after the LSGB. The diastolic pulmonary venous flow velocity decreased significantly 15 minutes after the LSGB.
CONCLUSIONS
These results showed that a LSGB decreased the heart rate without detrimental changes of left ventricular relaxation in healthy male volunteers.

Keyword

Anesthetic techniques: stellate ganglion block; Heart: left ventricular function; Monitoring: echocardiography

MeSH Terms

Arterial Pressure
Autonomic Nerve Block
Echocardiography
Electrocardiography
Heart
Heart Rate
Hemodynamics
Humans
Male
Pain Clinics
Relaxation
Stellate Ganglion*
Sympathectomy
Ventricular Function, Left*
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