Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Protected Catheter Ablation in A Post-Cardiotomy Patient With Electrical Storm

Written By CCRG

Norawat, R., Maybauer, M.O., O'Keeffe, N., & Vohra, A. Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_180_23

Abstract: An electrical storm (ES) refers to multiple occurrences of ventricular arrhythmias within a short time. Catheter ablation is a treatment option for ES but can be challenging in unstable cardiovascular patients. We present the case of a 50-year-old patient with poor left ventricular function who experienced ES after emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Despite maximal antiarrhythmic therapy, the patient had recurrent ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF), hindering catheter ablation. Elective venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support was established, allowing a successful second catheter ablation attempt without complications. The patient was weaned off ECMO the following day and remained in normal sinus rhythm.

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