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Effect of the Stellate Ganglion Block on the Retinal Microcirculation
Effect of the Stellate Ganglion Block on the Retinal Microcirculation: A Pilot Study
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Patients receiving the stellate ganglion nerve block for an approved indication, e.g. complex regional pain syndrome Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Non-English speaking * Temporary or permanent physical limitation that renders the patient unable to sit up and look inside OCTA device
About the study
Surges in the sympathetic nervous system occur at the ictus of a variety of neurological critical illnesses including intracranial hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. It is hypothesized that these exaggerated increases in sympathetic nervous activity produce maladaptations that promote secondary brain injury. One of these possible mechanisms include diffuse vasospasm that cause cerebral ischemia. Hence, methods to abrogate the sympathetic nervous system in this context are under active investigation. One possible method is the regional anesthesia technique of the stellate ganglion nerve block, which is ordinarily used for complex regional pain syndrome, but has been shown to reduce cerebral sympathetic activity and reduces vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, its effect on the microcirculation is not clear. Hence, we propose to study patients receiving the stellate ganglion nerve block as part of their standard medical care and to image their retinal microcirculation before and after the procedure using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).
What is being tested
- OCTA Scan (device)
Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Participants: 50 · Started: Oct 7, 2024
Contact the study team
- Noah Jouett, DO, PhD · Phone: 214-645-7011
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06797752
Locations in the U.S.
| Texas | UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.