parasternal block

The parasternal block is a locoregional anesthesia technique being evaluated by the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens, specifically in the Phase 3 PARACARD trial. This procedure involves the ultrasound-guided bilateral injection of ropivacaine (0.2%, 20ml per side) into the parasternal space prior to skin incision in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery via sternotomy. Ropivacaine, a long-acting small molecule local anesthetic, works by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels in the intercostal nerves, thereby providing targeted analgesia. The primary goal of this intervention is to reduce postoperative pain and improve respiratory function, specifically aiming to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications such as reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) that often follow cardiac surgery.

Other names

ultrasound-guided parasternal blockbilateral parasternal blockparasternal block with ropivacaine