Ultrasound-guided bilateral stellate ganglion blockade to treat digital ischemia in a patient with sepsis: a case report

This case report describes the use of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion blockade to treat sepsis-related digital ischemia in the intensive care unit (ICU).

A 71-yr-old female was admitted to the ICU with septic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following an initial right hemicolectomy complicated by an anastomotic leak and peritonitis. The patient’s condition was further complicated by an abdominal abscess 22 days later. She had type-2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension but no history of vascular disease. With continuing sepsis from the abscess and requiring mechanical ventilation due to ARDS, she developed upper limb digital ischemia refractory to treatment with a low dose of dobutamine and isosorbide dinitrate. We subsequently performed ultrasound-guided bilateral stellate ganglion blockade with the intent of restoring perfusion to her fingers before digital necrosis developed. One hour after each stellate ganglion block, the symptoms of digital ischemia completely resolved. The benefit persisted for two days, and then a repeat block was performed with similar results.

This case illustrates the potential advantages of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion blockade for the treatment of sepsis-related digital ischemia refractory to standard therapy.