P5698What predicts the inefficiency of stellate ganglion block in the treatment of electrical storm?

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Spacek ◽  
O Jiravsky ◽  
M Hudec ◽  
J Fismol ◽  
L Sknouril

Abstract Introduction Electrical storm (ES) is an emergent condition which requires a sofisticated approach. Massive sympathetic surge almost always connected with ES precipitates recurrent ventricular arrhythmias. Performing stellate ganglion block (SGB) to alleviate the sympathetic activity on myocardium is becoming a standard of care in many centers. However, there is no clear data to predict in which patients the SGB will be ineffective. Purpose To identify predictors of SGB failure in patients with ES. Methods We analyzed our case series of SGB – the procedure was performed in 31 patients with ES in our center from March 2017 to December 2018. Results Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 27% (±9%), 74% of patients had ischaemic cardiomyopathy. The most frequent type of arrhythmia was monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), occurring in 71% of patients, followed by polymorphic VT in 13% of cases. After SGB, the burden of ventricular arrhythmias failed to decrease by at least 50% in 10% of cases - these patients were marked as non-responders. Slow monomorphic VT (under 160/min) was observed in all of these patients. On the other hand, fast monomorphic VT or polymorphic VT seemed to respond very well to SGB. We also observed, that patients with ES after acute coronary syndromes were good responders as well. The effect of SGB was not related to age, gender, EF LK or the etiology of cardiomyopathy. Conclusions According to our experience, the failure of SGB in the treatment of ES is not frequent. It typically occurs in patients with slow monomorphic VT. It is probable that such arrhythmias are sustained primarily due to the extensive myocardial substrate, and not because of the sympathetic surge. The situation is quite the opposite in patients with fast VT and acute ischemia.

EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Savastano ◽  
Veronica Dusi ◽  
Enrico Baldi ◽  
Roberto Rordorf ◽  
Antonio Sanzo ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims The adoption of percutaneous stellate ganglion blockade for the treatment of drug-refractory electrical storm (ES) has been increasingly reported; however, the time of onset of the anti-arrhythmic effects, the safety of a purely anatomical approach in conscious patients and the additional benefit of repeated procedures remain unclear. Methods and results This study included consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous left stellate ganglion blockade (PLSGB) in our centre for drug-refractory ES. Lidocaine, bupivacaine, or a combination of both were injected in the vicinity of the left stellate ganglion. Overall, 18 PLSGBs were performed in 11 patients (age 69 ± 13 years; 63.6% men, left ventricular ejection fraction 31.6 ± 16%). Seven patients received only one PLSGB; three underwent two procedures and one required three PLSGB and two continuous infusions to control ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). All PLSGBs were performed with an anatomical approach; lidocaine, alone, or in combination was used in 77.7% of the procedures. The median burden of VAs 1 h after each block was zero compared with five in the hour before (P < 0.001); 83% of the patients were free from VAs; the efficacy at 24 h increased with repeated blocks. The anti-arrhythmic efficacy of PLSGB was not related to anisocoria. No procedure-related complications were reported. Conclusion Anatomical-based PLSGB is a safe and rapidly effective treatment for refractory ES; repeated blocks provide additional benefits. Percutaneous left stellate ganglion blockade should be considered for stabilizing patients to allow further ES management.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 1768-1780
Author(s):  
Gurukripa N Kowlgi ◽  
Yong-Mei Cha

Abstract Ventricular electrical storm (VES) is a clinical scenario characterized by the clustering of multiple episodes of sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VA) over a short duration. Patients with VES are prone to psychological disorders, heart failure decompensation, and increased mortality. Studies have shown that 10–28% of the patients with secondary prevention ICDs can sustain VES. The triad of a susceptible electrophysiologic substrate, triggers, and autonomic dysregulation govern the pathogenesis of VES. The rate of VA, underlying ventricular function, and the presence of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) determine the clinical presentation. A multi-faceted approach is often required for management consisting of acute hemodynamic stabilization, ICD reprogramming when appropriate, antiarrhythmic drug therapy, and sedation. Some patients may be eligible for catheter ablation, and autonomic modulation with thoracic epidural anesthesia, stellate ganglion block, or cardiac sympathetic denervation. Hemodynamically unstable patients may benefit from the use of left ventricular assist devices, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Special scenarios such as idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, Brugada syndrome, Long and short QT syndrome, early repolarization syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and cardiac sarcoidosis have been described as well. VES is a cardiac emergency that requires swift intervention. It is associated with poor short and long-term outcomes. A structured team-based management approach is paramount for the safe and effective treatment of this sick cohort.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark T Mills ◽  
Thomas A Nelson ◽  
Nicholas F Kelland ◽  
Jonathan Sahu ◽  
Justin Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cardiac involvement in Anderson–Fabry disease (AFD) can lead to arrhythmia, including ventricular tachycardia (VT). The literature on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of VT in AFD disease is limited. Case summary We discuss RFA of drug-refractory VT electrical storm in three males with AFD. The first patient (53 years old) had extensive involvement of the inferolateral left ventricle (LV) demonstrated with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 35%. Two VT ablation procedures were performed. At the first procedure, the inferobasal endocardial LV was ablated. Furthermore, VT prompted a second ablation, where epicardial and endocardial sites were ablated. The acute arrhythmia burden was controlled but he died 4 months later despite appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies for VT. The second patient (67 years old) had full-thickness inferolateral involvement demonstrated with CMRI and LVEF of 45%. RFA of several endocardial left ventricular sites was performed. Over a 3-year follow-up, only brief non-sustained VT was identified, but he subsequently died of cardiac failure. Our third patient (69 years old), had an LVEF of 35%. He had RFA of endocardial left ventricular apical disease, but died 3 weeks later of cardiac failure. Discussion RFA of drug-refractory VT in AFD is feasible using standard electrophysiological mapping and ablation techniques, although the added clinical benefit is of questionable value. VT storm in the context of AFD may be a marker of end-stage disease.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Jiravsky ◽  
R Spacek ◽  
J Chovancik ◽  
B Szmek ◽  
R Neuwirth ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The electrical ventricular storm (ES) is a life-threatening condition. The treatment is based on addressing the triggering cause, influencing reversible factors, patient sedation, and antiarrhythmics. Suppressing the massive sympathetic surge is a keystone in the emergent management. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) might serve this purpose. Purpose To show the efficacy of ultrasound-guided SGB in the management of ES. Methods Retrospective analysis of case series. All ES patients in whom SGB was used. SGB was performed after the initial failure of reversible factors modification + sedation + antiarrhythmics. We compared the mean VA burden 2 days before vs. 7 days after SGB (to show the long effect of SGB). 31 patients (5 females). Procedure date between 01.03.2017 and 21.11.2018. Mean LVEF 27±9%. Etiology: 74% ischemic vs. 26% non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Antiarrhythmic treatment: amiodarone 27 pt. (87%), trimecaine 3pt (10%), digoxin 2 pt. (6%), beta-blocker 28 pt. (90%). Results The ES management including SGB resulted in a significant decrease (92%) in VA burden (mean 26,0 episodes/day vs. 0,6 episodes/day; p<0.001). Separately, ATP episodes were reduced by 99%, external or ICD shocks by 76%. There was no need for general anesthesia as a last resort in refractory ES. 30-days mortality 12,9%. No significant adverse events have been noticed, 10 pt. (32,3%) have developed Horner syndrome, which always disappeared in 24 hours. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided SGB in the management of ES is safe and very effective. Randomized prospective studies are required to precisely determine the effect of SGB.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Müller ◽  
Michael Behnes ◽  
Tobias Schupp ◽  
Dominik Ellguth ◽  
Gabriel Taton ◽  
...  

AbstractBoth acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular tachyarrhythmias (AMI–VTA) and electrical storm (ES) represent life-threatening clinical conditions. However, a direct comparison of both sub-groups regarding prognostic endpoints has never been investigated. All consecutive implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients were included retrospectively from 2002 to 2016. Patients with ES apart from AMI (ES) were compared to patients with AMI accompanied by ventricular tachyarrhythmias (AMI–VTA). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 3 years, secondary endpoints were in-hospital mortality, rehospitalization rates and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) at 3 years. A total of 198 consecutive ICD recipients were included (AMI–VTA: 56%; ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): 22%; non-ST-segment myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) 78%; ES: 44%). ES patients were older and had higher rates of severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35%. ES was associated with increased all-cause mortality at 3 years (37% vs. 19%; p = 0.001; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.242; 95% CI 2.291–3.894; p = 0.004) and with increased risk of first cardiac rehospitalization (44% vs. 12%; p = 0.001; HR = 4.694; 95% CI 2.498–8.823; p = 0.001). This worse prognosis of ES compared to AMI–VTA was still evident after multivariable adjustment (long-term all-cause mortality: HR = 2.504; 95% CI 1.093–5.739; p = 0.030; first cardiac rehospitalization: HR = 2.887; 95% CI 1.240–6.720; p = 0.014). In contrast, the rates of MACE (40% vs. 32%; p = 0.326) were comparable in both groups. At long-term follow-up of 3 years, ES was associated with higher rates of all-cause mortality and rehospitalization compared to patients with AMI–VTA.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Cuk ◽  
Jae H Cho ◽  
Donghee Han ◽  
Joseph E Ebinger ◽  
Eugenio Cingolani

Introduction: Sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias (VA) is one of the main causes of mortality in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Ventricular fibrosis in HFpEF has been suspected as a substrate of VA, but the degree of fibrosis has not been well characterized. Hypothesis: HFpEF patients with increased degree of fibrosis will manifest more VA. Methods: Cedars-Sinai medical records were probed using Deep 6 artificial intelligence data extraction software to identify patients with HFpEF who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI of identified patients were reviewed to measure extra-cellular volume (ECV) and degree of fibrosis. Ambulatory ECG monitoring (Ziopatch) of those patients were also reviewed to study the prevalence of arrhythmias. Results: A total of 12 HFpEF patients who underwent cardiac MRI were identified. Patients were elderly (mean age 70.3 ± 7.1), predominantly female (83%), and overweight (mean BMI 32 ± 9). Comorbidities included hypertension (83%), dyslipidemia (75%), and coronary artery disease (67%). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction by echocardiogram was 63 ± 8.7%. QTc as measured on ECG was not significantly prolonged (432 ± 15 ms). ECV was normal in those patients for whom it was available (24.2 ± 3.1, n = 9) with 3/12 patients (25%) demonstrating ventricular fibrosis by MRI (average burden of 9.6 ± 5.9%). Ziopatch was obtained in 8/12 patients (including all 3 patients with fibrosis) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) was identified in 5/8 (62.5%). One patient with NSVT and without fibrosis on MRI also had a sustained VA recorded. In those patients who had Ziopatch monitoring, there was no association between presence of fibrosis and NSVT (X2 = 0.035, p = 0.85). Conclusions: Ventricular fibrosis was present in 25% of HFpEF patients in this study and NSVT was observed in 62.5% of those patients with HFpEF who had Ziopatch monitoring. The presence of fibrosis by Cardiac MRI was not associated with NSVT in this study; however, the size of the cohort precludes broadly generalizable conclusions about this association. Further investigation is required to better understand the relationship between ventricular fibrosis by MRI and VA in patients with HFpEF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Demarchi ◽  
Stefano Cornara ◽  
Antonio Sanzo ◽  
Simone Savastano ◽  
Barbara Petracci ◽  
...  

Background When implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) battery is depleted most patients undergo generator replacement (GR) even in the absence of persistent ICD indication. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and the overall prognosis of patients with and without persistent ICD indication undergoing GR. Predictors of 1‐year mortality were also analyzed. Methods and Results Patients with structural heart disease implanted with primary prevention ICD undergoing GR were included. Patients were stratified based on the presence/absence of persistent ICD indication (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% at the time of GR and/or history of appropriate ICD therapies during the first generator's life). The study included 371 patients (82% male, 40% with ischemic heart disease). One third of patients (n=121) no longer met ICD indication at the time of GR. During a median follow‐up of 34 months after GR patients without persistent ICD indication showed a significantly lower incidence of appropriate ICD shocks (1.9% versus 16.2%, P <0.001) and ICD therapies. 1‐year mortality was also significantly lower in patients without persistent ICD indication (1% versus 8.3%, P =0.009). At multivariable analysis permanent atrial fibrillation, chronic advanced renal impairment, age >80, and persistent ICD indication were found to be significant predictors of 1‐year mortality. Conclusions Patients without persistent ICD indication at the time of GR show a low incidence of appropriate ICD therapies after GR. Persistent ICD indication, atrial fibrillation, advanced chronic renal disease, and age >80 are significant predictors of 1‐year mortality. Our findings enlighten the need of performing a comprehensive clinical reevaluation of ICD patients at the time of GR.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Noda ◽  
Takashi Kurita ◽  
Takashi Nitta ◽  
Hiroshi Frushima ◽  
Naoki Matsumoto ◽  
...  

Introduction: Electrical storm (ES) referred to as multiple device therapies is an important clinical problem in patients (pts) with an implantable cardiac shock device (ICSD), such as implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy device with defibrillator. Detailed clinical aspects of ES, however, remain unclear in the Asian large population. Methods: We analyzed the data of the Nippon Storm Study which was a prospective observational study and consisted of 1570 pts enrolled from 48 Japanese ICSD centers designed to clarify the clinical aspects of ES. The study population included 493 (31%) pts with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and 357 (23%) pts with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). They had a mean LVEF of 43±19 %. Results: ES occurred in 96 (6.4%) pts during a median follow-up of 28 (23-33) months. Compared to pts without ES, pts with ES showed a significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (43% vs 38 %, respectively, p=0.005). No significant difference regarding ES incidence was observed between pts with IHD and pts with DCM (log-rank p=0.77). A sub-analysis of the ES characteristics revealed that the mortality in patients with shock therapy during the first ES episode and those with the incidence of multiple episodes of ES during the follow-up was significantly higher than those without (12/18 vs 30/78; p=0.03, 12/18 vs 26/78, p<0.01, respectively, Table). Conclusions: Shock therapy during the first ES episode and multiple episodes of ES were related to significantly higher mortality in pts with ICSD. There can be a malignant entity of ES.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 506-511

Ventricular arrhythmias are usually well controlled with medical management, cardiac implantable electronic devices, or catheter ablation. However, the refractory ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF) is life threatening and challenging. The authors reported a case series of left stellate ganglion blocks (LSGB) in patients with refractory VT/VF, who failed pharmacological treatment and multiple traditional cardiac interventions. Five patients underwent six LSGB. Four patients had significant decreased in ventricular arrhythmia burden. Among the responders, the LSGB suppressed significant VT/VF for three to seven days. Blocks did not only temporary suppress ventricular arrhythmia, but also stabilized the condition and served as a bridge to definitive treatment such as EP ablation or heart transplantation. There was no significant hemodynamic change or devastating side effects. The outcome from the present case series suggested that LSGB could be an effective treatment and a lifesaving intervention frintractable VT/VF. Keywords: Stellate ganglion block, Refractory ventricular tachycardia, Sympathectomy


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