Serratus anterior plane block reduces perioperative sedation use and discharge analgesia in subcutaneous implantable defibrillator implantation

• Published in: Europace (London, England) England), 2021-05, Vol.23 (Supplement_3)
• Main Authors: Mistry, A, Poornanachandran, V, Dhutia, H, Chelliah, R, Pathmanathan, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1099-5129; 1532-2092
• DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab116.402

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) has now become a well-recognised alternative to traditional devices and can be used as a first-line option, avoiding the risks associated with a transvenous lead. Standard implantation is either performed under general anaesthesia or under sedation. Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) has recently been introduced to provide periprocedural anaesthesia and analgesia. Purpose To assess whether SAPB reduces periprocedural analgesia/anaesthesia and post-operative analgesia in S-ICD implantation compared with standard perioperative analgesia/anaesthesia. Methods One hundred and twenty patients eligible for ICD implantation for standard indications were offered a S-ICD over a five-year period (2014-2019) at a single tertiary cardiac centre. From July 2014 to September 2018, consecutive cases were performed with standard analgesia/anaesthesia and performed using a standard two-incision technique. From October 2018 onwards, SAPB was performed in addition to standard perioperative analgesia/anaesthesia. This involved ultrasound-guided infiltration of 50ml prilocaine into the interfascial plane between the serratus anterior muscle and latissimus dorsi at the mid axillary line over the level of the 5th rib. Collection of data was performed at the six-week follow up with all data obtained from routinely collected local registry. Results The mean age at implant was 52.0 years (+15.9 years) and 102 (85.0%) were male. The mean body mass index was 27.9 (+5.2). 85 (70.8%) had a primary prevention indication. 64 (52.3%) patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of