title: Left ventricular assist device in the management of refractory electrical storm.
abstract: Electrical storm refers to a state of cardiac electrical instability characterized by multiple episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) within a relatively short period of time and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The management of electrical storm involves a variety of strategies, including sedation, anti-arrhythmic and electrolyte replacement as well as revascularization and electrical ablation. However, the management strategy in patients with refractory storm is less clear and may require more invasive approaches. We present a case of severe ventricular tachycardia storm refractory to conservative management that was managed with a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pourdjabbar
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maze
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hibbert
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruel
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada hhaddad@ottawaheart.ca.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haddad
mesh_terms: D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: arrhythmia; congestive heart failure; ventricular assist device; ventricular tachycardia storm