In-hospital Stellate Ganglion Block for Arrhythmic Storm

Launched by FONDAZIONE IRCCS POLICLINICO SAN MATTEO DI PAVIA · Jan 31, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment for a serious condition called arrhythmic storm, which involves having multiple dangerous heart rhythms in a short period of time. The trial is looking at a procedure called Percutaneous Stellate Ganglion Block (PSGB), which involves injecting medication near certain nerves in the neck to help control these irregular heartbeats. Participants in the trial will be people aged 18 and older who have experienced more than three episodes of these heart rhythms in a day that haven't responded to regular medications.

If you qualify and decide to participate, you will receive the PSGB treatment while in the hospital. The doctors will monitor how many times defibrillation (a treatment to restore a normal heart rhythm) is needed before and after the PSGB to see if it is effective. The study will also keep track of any complications that might arise from the procedure. You can choose between two approaches for the injection, with the doctor deciding the best method based on your situation. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it’s open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, regardless of gender.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • age ≥ 18 years,
• • presence of arrhythmic storm defined as more than three sustained ventricular arrhythmias in 24 hours refractory to the standard medical treatment.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • A previous history of cardiac sympathicectomy
• • Having a neck judged unsuitable for the procedure (previous neck surgery, previous burns, presence of large scars, thyroid goiter)
• Both the two approaches present in literature and commonly used for this technique are allowed for the study:
• • The "anatomical" approach which consist in the identification of the Chassaignac's tubercle that represents the point of needle insertion
• • The "echo-guided" approach Regardless to the approach (anatomical or echo-guided) the doctor will be able to choose, according to the clinical characteristics of the patients, whether to perform a single shot injection of anesthetic or a continuous infusion of anesthetic. In the second case a catheter will be left in place and connected to an infusion pump.