Key result
Stellate ganglion block reduces perioperative heart rate by ~8 bpm in cardiac surgery.
Why the study?
The safety and efficacy of stellate ganglion block in cardiac surgery required evaluation to provide reference data for clinical decision-making.
Does stellate ganglion block as an adjunct to general anesthesia improve perioperative hemodynamic stability (heart rate and mean arterial pressure) and postoperative cognitive function in adults undergoing cardiac surgery?
Meta-Analysis (n=416)
Does stellate ganglion block as an adjunct to general anesthesia improve perioperative hemodynamic stability (heart rate and mean arterial pressure) and postoperative cognitive function in adults undergoing cardiac surgery?
Mean Difference: -7.81 (95% CI -12.72–-2.89)
p-value: p=0.002
In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, adjunctive stellate ganglion block was associated with lower perioperative heart rate and improved postoperative cognitive scores (MoCA and MMSE) without altering mean arterial pressure or prolonging operative or ICU time, though high heterogeneity and small sample sizes warrant cautious interpretation.
Stellate ganglion block reduces perioperative heart rate without affecting mean arterial pressure in cardiac surgery; confirms randomized evidence but leaves outcomes open.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in cardiac surgery and provide reference data for clinical decision-making. We prospectively registered this systematic review and meta-analysis with PROSPERO (CRD42022381197). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating SGB in cardiac surgery were identified through searches in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases, based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The retrieved literature was managed by using EndNote X9 software. Data extraction was conducted with RevMan 5.4.1 software for meta-analysis. Eligible studies included those that assessed at least two of the following outcomes: operative time, Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay (ICU LOS), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 416 participants were included. Seven studies were rated as moderate-to-high quality and one as low quality. Operative time did not differ significantly between the SGB and control groups [MD = 2.51, 95%CI (-1.15, 6.18), P = 0.18], nor did ICU length of stay [MD=-6.63, 95%CI (-13.74, 0.48), P = 0.07]. Heart rate was lower in the SGB group [MD=-7.81, 95%CI (-12.72, -2.89), P = 0.002], whereas mean arterial pressure did not differ between groups [MD=-0.14, 95%CI (-4.50, 4.21), P = 0.95]. MoCA scores [MD = 1.54, 95%CI (0.28, 2.79), P = 0.02] and MMSE scores [MD = 1.87, 95%CI (0.29, 3.45), P = 0.02] were higher in the SGB group. SGB was associated with a lower heart rate and higher postoperative cognitive function scores but was not associated with a statistically significant difference in mean arterial pressure. Because most pooled estimates had substantial heterogeneity, sample sizes were small, and outcome reporting was limited, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Larger, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of SGB in cardiac surgery.
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Abdulla et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Cardiac surgery (n=416). Stellate ganglion block (SGB) as an adjunct to general anesthesia vs. General anesthesia alone was evaluated on Heart rate (HR) (MD -7.81, 95% CI -12.72, -2.89, p=0.002). Stellate ganglion block reduced perioperative heart rate compared with general anesthesia alone in cardiac surgery patients (MD -7.81 bpm, P=0.002), without significantly altering mean arterial pressure.
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