Abstract
Electrical storm is defined as a recurrent episode of hemodynamically destabilizing ventricular tachyarrhythmia that usually requires electrical cardioversion or defibrillation. We describe three cases presenting with electrical storm under differing circumstances: (1) a 57-year-old man with ST-elevation myocardial infarction within 1 week of a posterior circulation stroke who developed refractory sustained ventricular tachycardia 10 days after an acute myocardial infarction; (2) a 65-year-old man who developed polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation following dobutamine echocardiography; and (3) a 20-year-old woman who developed intractable ventricular fibrillation following an overdose of a weight-reduction pill. The management of electrical storm is discussed, and evolving literature supporting the routine use of intravenous amiodarone and β-blockers in place of intravenous lidocaine is critically examined.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 237-246 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Sep 2003 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Electrical storm
- Intravenous amiodarone
- Sudden death
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Ventricular tachycardia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine