Utility of color duplex sonography in the assessment of efficacy of the stellate ganglion blockade

Purpose: To assess the hemodynamic changes in the upper extremity arteries after sympathetic ganglion blockade (SGB) by using spectral Doppler parameters and to determine the applicability of these parameters for the evaluation of SGB efficacy. Material and Methods: Spectral Doppler parameters (peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (mean V), flow volume, resistive and pulsatility indices (RI, PI), inner arterial diameters (intima to intima) (D) with simultaneous recordings of heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressures and upper extremity surface temperature changes) were recorded before and 5 min after during the first, fifth and tenth SGB procedures. Results: SGB induced an increase in skin temperature in the ipsilateral hand and persistent dilatation of the radial diameter accompanied by reduction of RI and PI in the radial and third digital arteries in all patients. Conclusion: Hemodynamic changes assessed by spectral Doppler parameters could be used as sensitive and objective measurements of peripheral sympathetic nervous activity and vascular tonus, and may confirm a successfully performed SGB.