Position-Dependent Ventricular Tachycardia Related to Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter.
We report a case of a 51-year-old male who developed frequent nonsustained episodes of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia after being diagnosed with bioprosthetic aortic valve endocarditis and treated with intravenous antibiotics. A peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) had been placed without complication less than 24 hours prior to the episodes. Ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurred during the night, while sleeping, when he assumed a right lateral decubitus position with abduction of the right arm and placement of the forearm under his head. VT occurred repeatedly when such position was assumed again upon request, and it would terminate immediately when sitting upright. The PICC was repositioned in the superior vena cava without further VT. He was discharged home the same day and underwent successful aortic valve replacement 2 months later. Position-dependent VT related to PICC requires careful history taking and PICC repositioning to make the diagnosis. X-ray in different patient positions during PICC placement can be considered to evaluate for ventricular migration.
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
Paulino
P
Alvarez
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
Paul
P
Schurmann
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
Melanie
M
Smith
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
Miguel
M
Valderrábano
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
C Huie
CH
Lin
D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
cardiac arrhythmia; catheter; positional; ventricular tachycardia