Patients admitted for acute heart failure and undergoing right heart catheterization will be
enrolled in this study. Subjects will undergo catheterization of the heart to obtain central
cardiac pressure and other cardiac hemodynamic parameters. Subsequently, the subject will
undergo a regional nerve block of the splanchnic nerves. Patients will remain in the
catheterization lab for the duration of anesthetic block and will be continuously
hemodynamically monitored.
This study will be a prospective, uncontrolled clinical trial. The study will not be
controlled as invasive monitoring of hemodynamics will be performed, allowing clear
demonstration of a cause-effect relationship. The goal of the study is to provide proof of
concept.