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Utilization of Regional Anesthesia in the Electrophysiology Lab: A Narrative Review

  • Acute Pain Medicine (R Urman, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The electrophysiology lab is an important source of growth of anesthetic volume as the indications and evidence for catheter ablations and various cardiac implantable electronic devices improve. Paired with this increase in volume is an increasing number of patients with substantial comorbid conditions presenting for their EP procedures. For these patients, the interaction between their comorbidities and traditional anesthesia practices may create the risk of hemodynamic instability, cardiovascular or respiratory complications, and potential need for prolonged post-operative monitoring negatively impacting length of hospital stay.

Recent Findings

Regional anesthetic techniques, including pectoralis, serratus, and erector spinae plane blocks, offer options for both regional analgesia and surgical anesthesia for a variety of EP procedures. Existing case reports and extrapolations from other areas support these techniques as viable, safe, and effective components of an anesthetic plan.

Summary

In this article, we will review the development and challenges of various EP procedures and how different regional anesthetic techniques can function as a component of the anesthesia plan.

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Data Availability

Not applicable.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •  Of importance

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Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., MA, 02111, Boston, USA

    David Oh, Gabriel Stapleton & Ethan Y. Brovman

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  1. David Oh
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  2. Gabriel Stapleton
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  3. Ethan Y. Brovman
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Correspondence to Ethan Y. Brovman.

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Oh, D., Stapleton, G. & Brovman, E.Y. Utilization of Regional Anesthesia in the Electrophysiology Lab: A Narrative Review. Curr Pain Headache Rep 27, 455–459 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01147-w

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