Cervical Erector Spinae Plane Block for Dyspnea in Acute Respiratory Failure: A Prospective Cohort

NCT07182695 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: KA-25017
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 30
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Dyspnea is common and distressing in patients with acute respiratory failure. In our intensive care unit, some patients receive a cervical erector spinae plane (ESP) block to help relieve dyspnea. This study will observe patients who receive bilateral cervical ESP blocks and measure changes in dyspnea using validated scales at predefined time points over 24 hours. We will also track vital signs, arterial blood gas values, and diaphragm movement on ultrasound.

Conditions

Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF); Dyspnea

Keywords

Cervical ESP block; Diaphragm ultrasound; Intensive care; Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Dyspnea by Visual Analog Scale (D-VAS)

  Patient-reported dyspnea on a 100-mm line (0=no dyspnea, 100=worst imaginable); measured in mm from 0 anchor to the patient's mark.

  Baseline (pre-block), 30 minutes, 8 hours, 16 hours, and 24 hours after the ESP block.

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS) Score

  Baseline, 30 minutes, 8 hours, 16 hours, 24 hours post-block.

• Intensive Care Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (IC-RDOS) Score

  Baseline, 30 minutes, 8 hours, 16 hours, 24 hours post-block.

• Diaphragm Excursion Amplitude on Ultrasound

  Baseline (pre-block), 30 minutes

• Arterial Blood Gas Parameters: pH, PaO₂, PaCO₂ , SaO₂, HCO₃-

  Baseline (pre-block), 30 minutes, 8 hours, 16 hours, and 24 hours after the ESP block.

• Adverse Events Related to ESP Block

  From block through 24 hours.

Study Arms (1)

Cervical ESP cohort

adults with acute respiratory failure receiving bilateral cervical ESP block

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 90 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Consecutive adult patients in the mixed medical-surgical ICU of a tertiary university hospital (Hacettepe University Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye). The ICU manages acute respiratory failure due to pneumonia, COPD/asthma, pulmonary edema, and post-operative causes. Patients who receive a cervical ESP block for dyspnea as are observed for changes over 24 hours.

You may qualify if:

• ICU admission with acute respiratory failure.
• Patient or legally authorized representative provides consent.
• Cervical ESP block performed for dyspnea treatment

You may not qualify if:

• Infection at block site.
• Known diaphragm paralysis.
• Known allergy to local anesthetics.
• Refusal of consent (patient or representative).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dyspnea

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Seda Banu AKINCI, Professor

  Hacettepe University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Çağrı Arslan, Resident

CONTACT

+90 551 722 26 60; cagriarslan96@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 4, 2025
• First Posted: September 19, 2025
• Study Start: September 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2026
• Study Completion: March 15, 2026
• Last Updated: September 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09