Efficacy and Safety of Ultrasound-Guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block during Angioplasty of Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Access: A Prospective, Randomized Single-Center Clinical Trial.

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block (BPB) during angioplasty of dysfunctional arteriovenous access. Eighty study participants with dysfunctional arteriovenous access were enrolled in this prospective, randomized clinical trial between November 2016 and February 2018. Eighty patients were randomized to either the ultrasound-guided supraclavicular BPB group (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 65.1 ± 12.4; male:female= 17:23) or the no regional anesthesia group (mean age ± SD, 64.0 ± 11.7; male:female= 25:15). Pain was assessed on the 10-point Visual Analogue Scale. Participant satisfaction was examined. Six-month clinical follow-up was done to evaluate arteriovenous access patency and long-term complications. The BPB group showed a lower average pain score than the control group (mean ± SD, 0.9 ± 1.9 vs 6.4 ± 2.5; P < .001). Participant satisfaction (mean ± SD, 2.8 ± 0.5 vs 2.1±0.8; P < .001) was also higher in the BPB group. Six-month patency was 65% (26/40) in the BPB group and 59% (23/39) in the control group, with no significant difference between the 2 groups (P= .59). No major immediate or delayed complications were observed. Ultrasound-guided BPB is highly effective in reducing pain during angioplasty of dysfunctional arteriovenous access with an acceptable safety profile.