BACKGROUND: Temporary sympathectomy by injection of @entity1341 at the site of the left stellate ganglion is used in the management of @entity951 at several UK centres. Although @entity1 frequently report significant reduction in symptoms, efficacy has not been established by double-blind, @entity23 ( @entity23 ). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the procedure for the first time by a double-blind @entity23 . METHODS: Consecutive @entity1 referred to the authors' National Health Service (NHS) @entity951 centre who were candidates for temporary sympathectomy were invited to participate in a trial. A total of 65 @entity1 were randomised to receive either @entity1341 or saline injections. Identical syringes were prepared remotely, blinding @entity1 and staff from randomisation. Cardiac autonomic function was measured 3 hours pre- and post-injection using new heart rate variability (HRV) analyses. @entity951 episodes were recorded contemporaneously by @entity1 in study diaries in the 7-day periods pre- and post-injection. RESULTS: In 51 @entity1 suitable for analysis, no significant differences between the active and placebo groups were found in @entity1 -recorded frequency or intensity of @entity951 episodes pre- and post-injection. However, across both groups combined, a significant difference was found in the frequency of @entity951 episodes pre- and post-injection. CONCLUSION: The reduction in frequency of @entity951 episodes produced by this procedure may not be due to drug pharmacology. It may be a placebo response or due to the mechanical effects of the injection of fluid. There is a need for further work using a larger @entity1 cohort considering both mechanical and psychological factors.

Temporary sympathectomy in chronic XXXX : a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity1341 :: ('MESH:D002045', 'Chemical') :: ['bupivacaine'] @entity951 :: ('MESH:D000787', 'Disease') :: ['Angina', 'refractory angina', 'angina'] @entity23 :: ('MESH:D007174', 'Disease') :: ['RCT', 'randomised placebo-controlled trial']
@entity951 :: (MESH:D000787,Disease) :: ['refractory angina']
