Nerve block aimed at calming POTS symptoms in small stanford trial
NCT ID NCT06953661
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study from Stanford tests whether a stellate ganglion block (a nerve block in the neck) can reduce symptoms of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Twenty adults with POTS will receive either the nerve block or a sham injection. Researchers will track changes in autonomic symptoms and heart rate over follow-up visits. This is early research to see if the procedure is worth studying further.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- stellate ganglion block (nerve block with ropivacaine)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new way to manage POTS symptoms like dizziness and rapid heart rate.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early pilot study with only 20 people. It may not show clear benefit, and nerve blocks carry risks like bleeding or infection.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Oct 2025
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients (\>18 years of age) diagnosed with POTS * Ability to provide informed consent * Ability to comply with 3 follow up visits * English speaking and capable of signing informed consent and complying with protocol requirements Exclusion Criteria: * Allergy to local anesthetics * Severe coagulopathy * History of or currently being treated for clinically significant ongoing cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure, myocarditis, pulmonary embolism requiring anticoagulation, pulmonary fibrosis or other pulmonary diagnosis that in the investigator's opinion may contribute to symptoms of POTS * Inability to maintain a stable medication regiment for the duration of the study
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Stanford University
Stanford, California, 94305, United States
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Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford, California, 94304, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could ear nerve stimulation calm racing hearts in POTS?
- Can CO2 calm POTS? small study investigates
- Could antibodies be behind POTS? new study investigates
- Could POTS be an autoimmune disease? new study tests nerve stimulation as a treatment
- Could a blood pressure pill calm racing hearts in POTS?
- POTS patients may get relief from blood pressure drug, early study hints