Sudden cardiac death complicating alcohol septal ablation: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Over the years, alcohol septal ablation has become an effective and well-accepted modality in the treatment of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy refractory to standard medical therapy. Malignant tachyarrythmias infrequently complicates the procedure and are usually self-terminating. We describe a case of alcohol septal ablation complicated by sudden cardiac death occurring immediately following the procedure requiring prolonged resuscitative efforts with eventual complete recovery. We also discuss the pathophysiologic significance of this event in the setting of this cardiomyopathy and its relevance as a complication of the procedure.