Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation using the intermuscular two-incision technique

Purpose Operative anaesthetic requirements and perioperative discomfort are barriers to wide adoption of the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) system, especially when the intermuscular technique is used because of the greater amount of tissue dissection. The procedure is most commonly performed under general anaesthesia (GA). There is growing interest in transitioning away from the routine use of GA and towards several alternative anaesthesia modalities for the S-ICD implant procedure without the involvement of an anaesthesiologist. We assessed the feasibility of ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (US-SAPB) in patients undergoing S-ICD implantation with the intermuscular two-incision technique. Methods The study population included 38 consecutive patients (84% male; median, 53 [46–62] years) who received S-ICD implantation using the intermuscular two-incision technique. All procedures were performed under US-SAPB and conscious sedation without the involvement of an anaesthesiologist. Results The average procedure time was 67 ± 14 min. No patient experienced significant haemodynamic changes or oxygen desaturation during the period of the US-SAPB procedure and sedation; there was no need for pharmacological interventions. The entire procedure was well tolerated without discomfort or complications and with no need for GA, except in one (2.6%) patient who received GA with a laryngeal mask airway. Patients always remained able to respond appropriately to neurological monitoring during the S-ICD implantation procedure. There were no procedure-related complications. Conclusions US-SAPB and the intermuscular two-incision technique may be a promising safe and feasible combination for S-ICD implantation, overcoming the potential barrier to wider S-ICD adoption in clinical practice.