title: Acute effects of unilateral temporary stellate ganglion block on human atrial electrophysiological properties and atrial fibrillation inducibility.
abstract: In experimental models, stellate ganglion block (SGB) reduces the induction of atrial fibrillation (AF), while data in humans are limited.
  
  
  
  The aim of this study was to assess the effect of unilateral SGB on atrial electrophysiological properties and AF induction in patients with paroxysmal AF.
  
  
  
  Thirty-six patients with paroxysmal AF were randomized in a 2:1 order to temporary, transcutaneous, pharmaceutical SGB with lidocaine or placebo before pulmonary vein isolation. Lidocaine was 1:1 randomly infused to the right or left ganglion. Before and after randomization, atrial effective refractory period (ERP) of each atrium, difference between right and left atrial ERP, intra- and interatrial conduction time, AF inducibility, and AF duration were assessed.
  
  
  
  After SGB, right atrial ERP was prolonged from a median (1st-3rd quartile) of 240 (220-268) ms to 260 (240-300) ms (P < .01) and left atrial ERP from 235 (220-260) ms to 245 (240-280) ms (P < .01). AF was induced by atrial pacing in all 24 patients before SGB, but only in 13 patients (54%) after the intervention (P < .01). AF duration was shorter after SGB: 1.5 (0.0-5.8) minutes from 5.5 (3.0-12.0) minutes (P < .01). Intra- and interatrial conduction time was not significantly prolonged. No significant differences were observed between right and left SGB. No changes were observed in the placebo group.
  
  
  
  Unilateral temporary SGB prolonged atrial ERP, reduced AF inducibility, and decreased AF duration. An equivalent effect of right and left SGB on both atria was observed. These findings may have a clinical implication in the prevention of drug refractory and postsurgery AF and deserve further clinical investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: dliftheriotis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dionyssios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leftheriotis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Panayota
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Flevari
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Georgios Genimmatas General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kossyvakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Katsaras
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Attikon University Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Chrysanthi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Batistaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Chrysa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arvaniti
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Spyridon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deftereos
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Attikon University Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kostopanagiotou
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lekakis
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery; D012032:Refractory Period, Electrophysiological / Q000187:drug effects; D013233:Stellate Ganglion / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D008012:Lidocaine
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Atrium; Block; Electrophysiology; Stellate ganglion