NCT06953661

Ultrasound Guided Stellate Ganglion Block in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Ultrasound Guided Stellate Ganglion Block in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: A Randomized Double Blind Sham Placebo-controlled Pilot Study

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Stanford University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This single-center study aims to evaluate both immediate and long-term outcomes of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in a cohort of rigorously phenotyped patients with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). By assessing the effects of SGB, this study seeks to determine its viability as an intervention for symptom control in POTS.

Detailed description

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a heterogeneous condition affecting approximately 0.2% of the global population, predominantly young women of childbearing age. It is characterized by significant functional impairment and a constellation of symptoms, including lightheadedness, cognitive dysfunction, blurred vision, irritability, palpitations, and chest discomfort, which occur upon standing and improve when lying down. Although current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments alleviate symptoms for some patients, many remain significantly disabled. These challenges highlight the urgent need for novel treatment strategies, particularly non-pharmacological approaches. This study is a randomized controlled trial with a control group. The study team will enroll 20 patients with POTS, assigning 10 to the intervention group and 10 to the control group. The goal of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of SGB in improving heart rate, markers of sympathetic hyperactivity, and POTS symptoms comparing to a sham saline injection.

Conditions

• Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Stellate ganglion block	Patients will receive a SGB
PROCEDURE	Sham injection of saline	Patients will receive a subcutaneous sham injection of saline
DRUG	Ropivacaine	The SGB group will receive ropivacaine 0.5% 10ml
DRUG	Normal saline	The control group will receive normal saline in the sham injection.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-10-13
• Primary completion: 2026-11-01
• Completion: 2026-11-01
• First posted: 2025-05-01
• Last updated: 2025-10-15

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States