Anatomical-based percutaneous left stellate ganglion block in patients with drug-refractory electrical storm and structural heart disease: a single-centre case series

EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Savastano ◽  
Veronica Dusi ◽  
Enrico Baldi ◽  
Roberto Rordorf ◽  
Antonio Sanzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stellate Ganglion ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Stellate Ganglion Block ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Electrical Storm ◽  
Ganglion Block ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Left Stellate Ganglion ◽  
Stellate Ganglion Blockade

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Arrhythmias ◽  
Stellate Ganglion ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Stellate Ganglion Block ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Electrical Storm ◽  
Acute Ischemia ◽  
Ganglion Block ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction

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.

Left Stellate Ganglion Block for Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia: A Case Series

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 506-511
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Tachycardia ◽  
Ventricular Arrhythmia ◽  
Stellate Ganglion ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Stellate Ganglion Block ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Ganglion Block ◽  
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices ◽  
Left Stellate Ganglion ◽  
Life Threatening

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

Management of ventricular electrical storm: a contemporary appraisal

EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 1768-1780
Author(s):  
Gurukripa N Kowlgi ◽  
Yong-Mei Cha
Keyword(s):  
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Stellate Ganglion ◽  
Stellate Ganglion Block ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Ventricular Assist Devices ◽  
Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia ◽  
Electrical Storm ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist Devices ◽  
Ganglion Block

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.

scholarly journals Radiofrequency ablation of ventricular tachycardia in Anderson–Fabry disease: a case series

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark T Mills ◽  
Thomas A Nelson ◽  
Nicholas F Kelland ◽  
Jonathan Sahu ◽  
Justin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Tachycardia ◽  
Radiofrequency Ablation ◽  
Fabry Disease ◽  
Cardiac Failure ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Electrical Storm ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
End Stage

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.

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