Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06797752

Effect of the Stellate Ganglion Block on the Retinal Microcirculation

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).

Recruiting

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Key information

Conditions

OCTA Brain Diseases Brain Injuries Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebral Hemorrhage Cerebrovascular Disorders Craniocerebral Trauma Hemorrhage Intracerebral Hemorrhage Intracranial Hemorrhages Nervous System Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Severe Brain Injury Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Trauma, Nervous System Vascular Diseases Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Noah Jouett, DO, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

214-645-7011

Noah Jouett, DO, PhD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

OCTA Scan

Device

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

Primary outcomes

Vascular and Perfusion Density

Time frame: One day

Quantitative measure of retinal microperfusion

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Noah Jouett, DO, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

214-645-7011

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of the Stellate Ganglion Block on the Retinal Microcirculation: A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Jan 28, 2025
Registry last updated: Nov 19, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed