Autonomic Modulation for the Treatment of Ventricular Arrhythmias: Therapeutic Use of Percutaneous Stellate Ganglion Blocks.

Journal Article

Ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), and electrical storm are commonly encountered emergency conditions in cardiac and surgical intensive care units. In most cases, recurrent ventricular arrhythmias or electrical storm are associated with a heightened sympathetic tone. These arrhythmias can be difficult to treat and may be refractory to beta-blockade, antiarrhythmic therapy, sedation, and mechanical hemodynamic support. While monomorphic ventricular tachycardia and PVC-triggered polymorphic ventricular tachycardia may sometimes be amenable to successful ablation, some patients may be too critically ill to make such an approach feasible. We present 2 cases of minimally invasive stellate ganglion blocks for the treatment of electrical storm in patients with advanced heart failure on mechanical life support. These cases are part of a collaborative initiative at our institution to use percutaneous stellate ganglion block as an adjunctive intervention to achieve control of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Fudim, M; Boortz-Marx, R; Patel, CB; Sun, AY; Piccini, JP

Published Date

  • April 2017

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 28 / 4

Start / End Page

  • 446 - 449

PubMed ID

  • 28019045

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1540-8167

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1111/jce.13152

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States