A Review of the Stellate Ganglion Block/Cervical Sympathetic Block on the Prevention and Therapy of Cerebral Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Abstract

One of the most dangerous and distressing complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the development of delayed cerebral ischemia from cerebral vasospasm. Although the exact mechanism causing cerebral vasospasm remains unclear, current evidence suggests that breakdown products of blood within the subarachnoid space may interact with the sympathetic innervation of the cerebral vasculature to produce vasoconstriction. Therefore, a novel treatment that would lessen these sympathetic effects may be beneficial to patients with cerebral vasospasm. This review will examine the potential benefit to neuro-critical care medicine that ultrasound-guided cervical sympathetic blockade, also known as the stellate ganglion block, could have on cerebral vasospasm.