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Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Location, Dissection, and Analysis of the Murine Stellate Ganglion
Published on: December 22, 2020
Stellate Ganglion Blockade: an Intervention for the Management of Ventricular Arrhythmias
Arun Ganesh1, Yawar J Qadri2, Richard L Boortz-Marx1
1Duke Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
Insights
Stellate ganglion blockade (SGB) offers a safe and effective method to manage refractory ventricular arrhythmias, reducing burden and defibrillation events. This temporary relief allows crucial time for alternative treatments in complex cardiac cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Refractory ventricular arrhythmias pose significant challenges in patient management.
- Current therapeutic options may have limitations or be unsuitable for all patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the indications, procedural aspects, and supporting data for stellate ganglion blockade (SGB).
- To evaluate SGB as a therapeutic option for managing refractory ventricular arrhythmias.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on stellate ganglion blockade for ventricular arrhythmias.
- Analysis of procedural considerations, including ultrasound guidance and anticoagulation management.
Main Results:
- SGB effectively reduces arrhythmia burden and defibrillation events for 24-72 hours.
- Efficacy is consistent across different arrhythmia types and etiologies.
- Ultrasound-guided SGB is safe, with a low complication risk, even in patients on anticoagulation.
Conclusions:
- Stellate ganglion blockade is a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for refractory ventricular arrhythmias.
- SGB provides a critical window for implementing other definitive treatments.
- Consideration of SGB is warranted for patients with refractory ventricular arrhythmias.
Purpose Of Review:
To highlight the indications, procedural considerations, and data supporting the use of stellate ganglion blockade (SGB) for management of refractory ventricular arrhythmias.
Recent Findings:
In patients with refractory ventricular arrhythmias, unilateral or bilateral SGB can reduce arrhythmia burden and defibrillation events for 24-72 h, allowing time for use of other therapies like catheter ablation, surgical sympathectomy, or heart transplantation. The efficacy of SGB appears to be consistent despite the type (monomorphic vs polymorphic) or etiology (ischemic vs non-ischemic cardiomyopathy) of the ventricular arrhythmia. Ultrasound-guided SGB is safe with low risk for complications, even when performed on anticoagulation. SGB is effective and safe and could be considered for patients with refractory ventricular arrhythmias.
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