Does Acute Response to Stellate Ganglion Block Predict Success of Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation? Preliminary Evidence

Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) has been shown to reduce sympathetic adrenergic activity and extend the duration of cardiac electrical action potentials 1. A recent combined analysis of studies showed that CSD resulted in a 60% rate of ventricular tachycardia (VT) not recurring over an average follow-up of about 15 months, alongside a notable decrease in the average number of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks per patient 2. Whether response to temporary stellate ganglion block (SGB) predicts long-term success of permanent cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) in patients with refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VA) remains uncertain.