The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society
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Thus the natriuretic peptides represent an important class of molecules in patients with congestive symptoms. As such, natriuretic peptide measurements can assist in the evaluation of patients with heart failure or to exclude this as a cause in patients with dyspnea. Increasing the levels of natriuretic peptides may offer an important therapeutic advance in patients with heart failure.
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Traditionally, stellate ganglion blockade has been used for the diagnosis and treatment of upper extremity sympathetic pain. However, this treatment has not been shown to provide adequate sympathetic blockade of the upper extremities. This study demonstrates that a carefully performed upper thoracic sympathetic block with imaging guidance can result in a successful sympathetic blockade of the upper extremities. This study furthermore demonstrates that the occurrence of a Horners syndrome is not a testimony to a successful sympathetic block of the upper extremities.