J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2005 Aug;29(4):434-437.

Increased Blood Pressure and Loss of Consciousness after Stellate Ganglion Block: A case report

• Kim YG
• Han SJ
• Choi KS
• Lee KH

Abstract

A 59 year-old female patient suffered from complex regional pain syndrome in left hemiplegia, was managed to stellate ganglion block (SGB) with 5 ml of 1 % lidocaine. The SGB was performed twice previously, with no side effects. And the third SGB was done in the same manner after negative aspiration testing. Two minutes later, she developed respiratory difficulty with increased blood pressure. Immediately airway management was performed by mask ventilation with oxygen. But ten minutes later, she developed respiratory arrest with unconsciousness and intubation was performed. Soon she recovered spontaneous respiration and the blood pressure returned to the former level. Despite taking all precautions during SGB, complications such as respiratory arrest and hypertension may occur even in the hands of an experienced physician. Therefore, before starting SGB, all resuscitation drugs and equipment must be ready for use in case any emergency develops.

Keyword

Stellate ganglion block; Complication

MeSH Terms

Airway Management
Blood Pressure*
Emergencies
Female
Hand
Hemiplegia
Humans
Hypertension
Intubation
Lidocaine
Masks
Middle Aged
Oxygen
Respiration
Resuscitation
Stellate Ganglion*
Unconsciousness*
Ventilation
Lidocaine
Oxygen