Study Population and Design
This was a single-center, prospective feasibility study of patients undergoing SICD implantation from Feb 2020 to Feb 2022 at our institution. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained (HS# 18-00362; GCO# 18-0776). After providing written informed consent, 24 patients (convenience sample) older than 18 years undergoing SICD placement at a single center tertiary care hospital were randomly assigned to either receiving wound filtration or ESP block. Exclusion criteria included allergy to amide local anesthetics and infection at the site of injection. All the procedures were performed with administration of IV sedation with midazolam, fentanyl, and propofol infusion and supplemental oxygen. Patients refusing the block or patients requiring general anesthesia for procedural reasons were excluded. Neither the anesthesiologists performing the block nor the patients were blinded because there was no placebo block and the blocks were performed prior to starting sedation. The anesthesiologist performing the block was different from the anesthesiologist performing the case. The anesthesiologist performing the case was present during the performance of the block and, therefore, was not blinded to the study group.