Treatment of Electrical Storm – the Electrophysiologist’s Point of View

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (43) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
Aleksander Bardyszewski ◽  
Jacek Kuśnierz ◽  
Paweł Derejko

Electrical storm is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate treatment. In most cases ventricular arrhythmia originates from previously formed lesions in the cardiac muscle. Such patients, following the necessary initial treatment, should be forwarded to catheter ablation, which is proven to reduce arrhythmia recurrence and to improve overall morbidity. Along with the technological progress related to electroanatomical mapping the growing role of meticulous substrate mapping and modification for successful ablation is being recognized.

Author(s):  
Stefano Sartini ◽  
Laura Massobrio ◽  
Ombretta Cutuli ◽  
Paola Campodonico ◽  
Cristina Bernini ◽  
...  

COVID-19 respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition. Oxygenation targets were evaluated in a non-ICU setting. In this retrospective, observational study, we enrolled all patients admitted to the University Hospital of Genoa, Italy, between 1 February and 31 May 2020 with an RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2. PaO2, PaO2/FiO2 and SatO2% were collected and analyzed at time 0 and in case of admission, patients who required or not C-PAP (groups A and B) were categorized. Each measurement was correlated to adverse outcome. A total of 483 patients were enrolled, and 369 were admitted to hospital. Of these, 153 required C-PAP and 266 had an adverse outcome. Patients with PaO2 <60 and >100 had a higher rate of adverse outcome at time 0, in groups A and B (OR 2.52, 3.45, 2.01, respectively). About the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, the OR for < 300 was 3.10 at time 0, 4.01 in group A and 4.79 in group B. Similar odds were found for < 200 in any groups and < 100 except for group B (OR 11.57). SatO2 < 94% showed OR 1.34, 3.52 and 19.12 at time 0, in groups A and B, respectively. PaO2 < 60 and >100, SatO2 < 94% and PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300 showed at least two- to three-fold correlation to adverse outcome. This may provide simple but clear targets for clinicians facing COVID-19 respiratory failure in a non ICU-setting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-191
Author(s):  
Nagendra Singh Sonwani ◽  
Navneet Ateriya ◽  
Arvind Kumar ◽  
Anil Kohli ◽  
Kalyan Kumar Banerjee

Acute haemorrhage from ruptured oesophageal varices is a serious consequence of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients. It represents a medical emergency with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Studies over the years have shown a direct link with chronic alcoholism in the development of such complications. Although the gastrointestinal system accounts for a few numbers of sudden deaths, bleeding through ruptured varices represent a life-threatening condition. The role of forensic pathologist is vital in dealing with sudden deaths. Here, we report a case of a 46-year-old man who died suddenly following the rupture of oesophageal varices.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory C. Davenport ◽  
James B. Hittner ◽  
Vincent Otieno ◽  
Zachary Karim ◽  
Harshini Mukundan ◽  
...  

Bacteremia and malaria coinfection is a common and life-threatening condition in children residing in sub-Saharan Africa. We previously showed that coinfection with Gram negative (G[−]) enteric Bacilli andPlasmodium falciparum(Pf[+]) was associated with reduced high-density parasitemia (HDP, >10,000 parasites/μL), enhanced respiratory distress, and severe anemia. Since inflammatory mediators are largely unexplored in such coinfections, circulating cytokines were determined in four groups of children (n=206, aged <3 yrs): healthy;Pf[+] alone; G[−] coinfected; and G[+] coinfected.Staphylococcus aureusand non-TyphiSalmonellawere the most frequently isolated G[+] and G[−] organisms, respectively. Coinfected children, particularly those with G[−] pathogens, had lower parasite burden (peripheral and geometric mean parasitemia and HDP). In addition, both coinfected groups had increased IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, IFN-γ, and IFN-αand decreased TNF-αrelative to malaria alone. Children with G[−] coinfection had higher IL-1βand IL-1Ra and lower IL-10 than thePf[+] group and higher IFN-γthan the G[+] group. To determine how the immune response to malaria regulates parasitemia, cytokine production was investigated with a multiple mediation model. Cytokines with the greatest mediational impact on parasitemia were IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ. Results here suggest that enhanced immune activation, especially in G[−] coinfected children, acts to reduce malaria parasite burden.


EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Nastasa ◽  
C Cojocaru ◽  
D A Radu ◽  
E Goanta ◽  
V Iliese ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Electric storm is a life threatening condition, that can complicate multiple cardiac pathologies and is associated with high mortality.  Catheter ablation has been shown to reduce ventricular tachycardia (VT) burden in patients with electrical storm but the optimal procedural endpoint and the therapeutic particularities required by different etiologies are still under debate. Purpose Our objective was to determine if there are any periprocedural factors that influence midterm outcomes.  We also sought if there were any significant differences between the results for ischemic and nonischemic patients. Methods The study included 66 consecutive patients, mean age 60 years, 82% males, treated for electrical storm in our center with endocardial/endo-epicardial radiofrequncy catheter ablation (with or without remote magnetic navigation). Acute success was defined as elimination of the clinical tachycardia with complete non-inducibility (including ventricular fibrillation) or non-inducibility for monomorphic VT with programmed ventricular stimulation using up to 4 extrastimuli. Mean follow-up duration was 9.4 months and the type of recurrence was catalogued in 3 categories: initial VT (isolated), electric storm and other sustained VT. Results The overall acute success rate was 93%, complete non-inducibility was achieved in 64.5% and non-inducibility for monomorphic VT in 87.5% of the cases. Epicardial approach was used in 44% of the non-ischemic cases vs 10.5% of the ischemic ones (p = 0.005). There were no significant differences between complete noninducibility rates and recurrence/death rates of the ischemic vs nonischemic groups. Among the variables analysed for predicting noninducibility, only two reached statistical significance: mean QRS duration of the clinical tachycardia (160 ± 32 ms vs 240 ± 63.3ms, p = 0.02) and shortest RS complex (124 ± 14.7 ms vs 210 ± 12ms, p = 0.02). Recurrent ventricular arrhythmia occurred in 25% of the patients during follow up, from which: 27.2 % initial VT (isolated), 36.4% electric storm and 36.4% other sustained VT. Death rate was 10.6% (7 patients).  Kaplan Meier plot showed that the lot with complete noninducibility after programmed ventricular stimulation had better survival rates (p = 0.01). Conclusions Ablative therapy had a good acute success rate, without significant differences between ischemic and noninschemic patients in our study. Complete noninducibility after programmed ventricular stimulation  after ablation was associated with better survival rates. Unsuccessfull ablation is a predictor of inhospital death of these patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 136-136
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Parshad ◽  
Parvinder Sandu ◽  
Shekar Gogna ◽  
Abhijeet Beniwal ◽  
Rajendra Karwasra

Abstract Background Chyle leak after esophagectomy for carcinoma esophagus is a rare but life threatening condition with reported an incidence of 1–6%. Mortality rate of up to 50% have been reported. Management of chyle leak is controversial. We reviewed our experience with iatrogenic chylothorax after esophagectomy for carcinoma esophagus. Methods From 2003 to 2017, 560 patients underwent esophagectomy for cancer at our department of oncosurgery. Eight patients developed post operative chyle leak. Transthoracic or transabdominal ligation of duct was done in six patients with in first week. 100 ml of cream was given 30 min before induction to visualize the leak intraoperatively. We used 4–0 prolene pledgeted suture to ligate the duct. Results Six patients who underwent early ligation could be salvaged and the two who were managed conservatively succumbed. Oringer et al. pointed towards conservative treatment having little place in the management of chylothorax in nutritionally depleted patients. Hence, prompt ligation of thoracic duct decreases morbidity and mortality of chylothorax. Thus the role of early surgery needs to stressed. There is a wide difference of mortality rate of conservative management of 82% with respect to the mortality rate of surgery of 10–16%. Though no conclusion data are available regarding the indication and time point of surgical ligation of the thoracic duct, it is important not to procrastinate while the condition deteriorates to a level at which surgery would be detrimental.Administration of cream to the patient (through feeding jejunostomy) around half an hour before surgery makes identification of site of leak simpler.The importance of pledgeted sutures cannot be denied as the thoracic duct is paper thin and chyle contains no fibrin. Thus non pledgeted sutures will tear it further. Infact, stitching should not be done through the duct but into the surrounding tissue around the duct and should allow the pledgets to close the duct. Conclusion Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-11
Author(s):  
Astrid Hendriks ◽  
Tamás Szili-Török

AbstractElectrical storm due to the development of repetitive sustained ventricular tachycardias (VT) is a potentially life-threatening clinical entity. Acute catheter ablation can be lifesaving. Electrical storm (ES) can be characterized as a period of severe cardiac electrical instability manifested by recurrent ventricular arrhythmias. ES adversely affects short and long term prognosis. The highest mortality risk is in the first 3 months after the occurrence of the index event as shown by the AVID trial. The appearance of a ventricular tachycardia (VT) storm is associated with a rather high mortality despite the presence of an internal cardioverter defibrillator. Catheter ablation (CA) in VT storm is evolving as a standard of care therapy. The increased utilization of CA is partly driven by data suggesting that ICD shocks may be associated with increased mortality, partly due to the limited possibilities and adverse events of medical therapy. The aim of this review is to summarize recent advances in CA of VTs in emergency setting.


2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stelios Paraskevaidis ◽  
Dimitrios Konstantinou ◽  
Vassilios Kolettas ◽  
George Stavropoulos ◽  
Athanasios Koutsakis ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Rehab AL-Ansari ◽  
Mohanad Bakkar ◽  
Leena Abdalla ◽  
Khaled Sewify

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon haematological disease which can occur at any age and may present with COVID-19. This case describes a COVID-19 complication associated with a presentation resembling TTP. Case description: A 51-year-old man who had received a kidney transplant and was on immunosuppressant medication, was admitted to a critical care unit with severe COVID-19 pneumonia/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which required intubation, mechanical ventilation and inotropic support. The course was complicated by the classic pentad of thrombocytopenia, intravascular haemolysis, acute kidney injury, neurological symptoms and fever, which prompted the diagnosis of probable TTP. After five sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange, the patient’s general status improved, he was weaned off mechanical ventilation and his renal panel and haemolytic markers normalized. Conclusion: TTP is a life-threatening condition which requires urgent management with therapeutic plasma exchange. This case highlights some possible complications of COVID-19 generally and in immunocompromised patients specifically. The potential role of plasma exchange in COVID-19 patients without a positive diagnosis of TTP (the so-called ‘TTP resembling presentation’) is an area of further research.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wandang Wang ◽  
Xuran Yang ◽  
Mingfa Guo ◽  
Zhifeng Pan ◽  
Mingjin Qiu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Neonatal sepsis is an acute life-threatening condition in neonates, and a proper innate inflammatory is essential for prevention of the systemic inflammation associated with sepsis. As the most potential antigen-presenting innate immune cells, dentritic cells (DCs) dysfunction has been verified detrimental for sepsis. B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is an immune-regulatory receptor shown to be associated with DCs dysfunction. However, the role of BTLA expression in myeloid DCs (mDCs) in neonatal sepsis is unknown. Methods: 61 of neonates with sepsis and 32 of neonates having no suspicion of sepsis as control were enrolled into this study. BTLA and HLA-DR expression in mDCs was measured by flow cytometry. To further study the role of BTLA in regulating mDCs function, BTLA+mDCs and BTLA-mDCs from septic neonates were sorted and utilized to evaluate the phagacytosis capacity, bactericidal ability as well as cytokine secretion of mDCs.Results: A higher percentage of BTLA+mDCs were observed in neonatal septic patients and the percentage was positively correlated to the duration of hospitalization of neonates as well as the severity of sepsis. Moreover, a decrease MFI expression of HLA-DR was found in mDCs in neonatal sepsis, which expression was negatively correlated with the percentage of BTLA+mDCs. When compared to BTLA-mDCs, sorted BTLA+mDCs exhibited lower FITC-dextran uptake capacity but more CFU E.coli number after cells challenged by E.coli. In addition, BTLA+mDCs comparatively secreted lower level of TNF-α and IL-12, but higher IL-10. Conclusions: A higher level of BTLA in mDCs in the observed septic neonates was associated to the severity of neonatal sepsis; therefore, BTLA expression in mDCs could be a useful biomarker help to determine the neonatal sepsis development. Additionally, BTLA negatively regulated the phagocytosis capacity and bactericidal ability of mDCs and lowered their antigen-presenting ability as well as altered cells into an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Thus, targeting BTLA in mDCs may be a new therapeutic strategy for neonatal sepsis.


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