Current evidence of ultrasound guided fascial plane blocks for cardiac surgery: a narrative literature review.

Fascial plane blocks are a useful element for multimodal analgesia after cardiac surgery. These blocks can provide effective analgesia while circumventing serious risks associated with conventional techniques such as neuraxial hematoma and pneumothorax. This narrative review covers blocks performed at parasternal intercostal, interpectoral, pecto-serratus, serratus anterior, erector spinae, and retrolaminar planes which are targets for fascial plane blocks commonly used for cardiac surgery. Brief anatomical considerations, mechanisms, and currently available evidence were reviewed. Additionally, fascial plane blocks for implantation of subcutaneous-Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator were also reviewed.