title: Stellate ganglion block may prevent the development of neurogenic pulmonary edema and improve the outcome.
abstract: Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is an acute and serious complication after a central nervous system insult with high mortality. The pronounced activation of sympathetic nervous system and the release of vasoactive substances are necessary prerequisites for the development of NPE. We introduce a hypothesis that stellate ganglion block (SGB) may prevent NPE development on the basis of the inhibition of sympathetic overactivation, reduction of the concentration of norepinephrine and attenuation of baroreflex sensitivity, and improve the outcome by improving cerebral blood flow and pulmonary circulation and maintaining cardiovascular stability. In clinical practice, the guidance technique and close monitoring might guarantee the safety of SGB. If our hypothesis is supported by further experiments, this may open a new doorway for the treatment of NPE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jianyu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Tianze
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Xianzhang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Ziyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yue
mesh_terms: D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013233:Stellate Ganglion / Q000187:drug effects*; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013565:Sympatholytics; D009638:Norepinephrine