Sympathetic Blockade for the Management of Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia: A Case Report

A A Pract. 2021 Apr 21;15(4):e01456. doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000001456.

Abstract

A 64-year-old man with a history of nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) presented with electrical storm (ES). Episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) persisted despite endocardial catheter ablations and exhaustive pharmacotherapy. We used alternating regional anesthesia techniques, left stellate ganglion block, and proximal intercostal block to reduce sympathetic input to the heart, resulting in a significant decrease in VT burden. By using alternating catheter locations, we were able to maintain continuous sympathetic blockade for 31 days and bridge the patient to a successful orthotopic heart transplant.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autonomic Nerve Block*
  • Cardiomyopathies* / drug therapy
  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stellate Ganglion / surgery
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular* / drug therapy