Effect of the Stellate Ganglion Block on the Retinal Microcirculation

NCT06797752 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: STU-2024-1027
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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).

Conditions

OCTA; Severe Brain Injury; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Vascular and Perfusion Density

  Quantitative measure of retinal microperfusion

  One day

Study Arms (1)

Intervention Group

Patients receiving the stellate ganglion block

Device: OCTA Scan

Interventions

OCTA Scan DEVICE

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography before and after receiving the stellate ganglion nerve block.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients receiving the stellate ganglion block

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 years or older
• Patients receiving the stellate ganglion nerve block for an approved indication, e.g. complex regional pain syndrome

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy
• Non-English speaking
• Temporary or permanent physical limitation that renders the patient unable to sit up and look inside OCTA device

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

• Patton N, Aslam T, Macgillivray T, Pattie A, Deary IJ, Dhillon B. Retinal vascular image analysis as a potential screening tool for cerebrovascular disease: a rationale based on homology between cerebral and retinal microvasculatures. J Anat. 2005 Apr;206(4):319-48. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2005.00395.x.

  PMID: 15817102 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Brain Injuries; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Cerebral Hemorrhage

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Craniocerebral Trauma; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Hemorrhage; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Noah Jouett, DO, PhD

  University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Noah Jouett, DO, PhD

CONTACT

214-645-7011; noah.jouett@utsouthwestern.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 21, 2024
• First Posted: January 28, 2025
• Study Start: October 7, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 7, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 7, 2026
• Last Updated: November 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)