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(Stroke. 2003;34:961.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Cervical Sympathetic Block to Reverse Delayed Ischemic Neurological Deficits After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Miriam M. Treggiari, MD, MPH; Jacques-André Romand, MD; Jean-Baptiste Martin, MD; Alain Reverdin, MD; Daniel A. Rüfenacht, MD Nicolas de Tribolet, MD

From the Division of Surgical Intensive Care, Department of Anesthesia, Pharmacology, and Surgical Intensive Care (M.M.T., J-A.R.); Division of Neurosurgery (A.R., N. de T.); and Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (J-B.M., D.A.R.), Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.

Correspondence to Dr Miriam M. Treggiari, Surgical Intensive Care, Geneva University Hospital, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. E-mail treggmm{at}u.washington.edu

Background and Purpose— The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a locoregional cervical sympathetic block to improve cerebral perfusion in patients suffering from cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Methods— Nine consecutive patients with symptoms of delayed ischemic deficits, induced by angiographically confirmed cerebral vasospasm, were treated with the injection of locoregional anesthesia to block the ascending cervical sympathetic chain at the level of the superior cervical ganglion. Neurological status was recorded before and after the procedure, and cerebral angiography was performed before and after the procedure.

Results— No complications occurred in this short series. The procedure appeared to be simple and safe. Horner’s signs appeared within 12±0.1 minutes and lasted for an average of 6.3±4 hours. In all patients, improved cerebral perfusion was detected at the confirmatory angiography but without change in vessel caliber. One patient died of the complications of the initial hemorrhage, and 2 died of the consequences of the severe vasospasm despite maximal medical treatment. In all the other cases, the neurological status promptly returned to normal within 48 hours after the locoregional treatment.

Conclusions— Patients with mild to moderate symptoms seem to benefit greatly from transient ipsilateral cervical sympathetic block. This simple technique may be helpful when used as an adjunct to the standard therapy to improve cerebral perfusion.

Sympathetic Block for Vasospasm

Arthur L. Day, MD, Guest Editor Philip V. Theodosopoulos, MD, Guest Editor

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