Erector Spinae Plane Block Improves Organ Dysfunction in Septic Patients With Acute Gastrointestinal Injury

Inclusion criteria

• Septic patients with acute gastrointestinal injury grade II or III;
• Age over 18 years;
• Expected to stay in the ICU for at least 3 days or longer;

Exclusion criteria

• Mean arterial pressure less than 65 mmHg after fluid resuscitation, or requirement for an intravenous norepinephrine dose of greater than 0.5 µg/kg/min to maintain a normal mean arterial pressure;
• Heart rates less than 50 beats/min, or concomitant with moderate-to-severe atrioventricular block without a pacemaker;
• Contraindications for erector spinae plane blocks, including infection of the puncture site, spinal diseases or immobilization;
• Primary gastrointestinal disorders requiring a surgical procedure, such as mechanical intestinal obstruction, massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal perforation;
• Gastrointestinal operation within one week before enrollment;
• Neuromuscular disorders;
• Coagulation abnormalities：activated prothrombin time or prothrombin time is prolonged with 2 folds, or platelet count less than 50×109/L;
• End-stage malignant tumor or cachexia;
• History of allergy to amide anesthetics;
• Known pregnancy;