The purpose of this study is to test if a nerve block procedure called a stellate ganglion block can help decrease the chance of atrial fibrillation after surgery. Atrial fibrillation is the abnormal, fast beating of the upper chambers of the heart. Stellate ganglion blockade has shown to decrease other types of abnormal heart rhythms as well as decrease the chance of atrial fibrillation.
The investigator hypothesizes that stellate ganglion blockade with local anesthetic performed prior to cardiac surgery will reduce the incidence and duration of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). Specific Aim 1: Determine the incidence of POAF in patients receiving pre-surgical stellate ganglion blockade with local anesthetic versus saline placebo within one week of surgery or during hospitalization if discharged prior to one week. Specific Aim 2: Determine the duration of POAF in patients receiving pre-surgical stellate ganglion blockade with local anesthetic versus saline placebo within one week of surgery or during hospitalization if discharged prior to one week. Specific Aim 3: Determine the success rate of the block as evaluated by ipsilateral hand temperature change and skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
220
Ultrasound guided injection into the stellate ganglion performed in the right side of the neck in a sterile fashion.
10 mL of 0.5% without epinephrine injected in the plane of the right stellate ganglion
10 mL of saline injected in the plane of the right stellate ganglion
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
RECRUITINGIncidence of atrial fibrillation
Percentage of subjects to experience postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF)
Time frame: Within one week of surgery or during hospitalization if discharged prior to one week
Duration of atrial fibrillation
Duration of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF)
Time frame: Within one week of surgery or during hospitalization if discharged prior to one week
Skin Sympathetic Nerve Activity
Measurement of difference in skin sympathetic nerve activity following block
Time frame: 10-30 minute following performance of nerve block
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