ABSTRACT
Electrical storm is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. It can remain a clinical challenge despite anti-arrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation therapies. Autonomic modulation techniques have gained increased recognition in the treatment of refractory electrical storm cases. In our case, we present a patient with recurrent ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation episodes one week after a myocardial infarction. Patient's arrhythmia was refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs and hemodynamical status was unstable, thus catheter ablation under temporary mechanical circulatory support was the initial strategy. Ventricular fibrillation episodes relapsed 48 h after catheter ablation and we proceeded with autonomic modulation treatment options. Bilateral stellate ganglion blockade was performed under ultrasound guidance using bupivacaine. Sinus bradycardia was present and no ventricular arrhythmias were detected on post-procedure ECG. Stellate ganglion blockade was complemented with video-assisted thoracoscopic cardiac sympathetic denervation. After the last procedure, patient remained on sinus rhythm, was hemodynamically stable and extubated successfully.
