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. 2014 Apr;11(4):541-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.12.038. Epub 2013 Dec 31.

Safety and efficacy of renal denervation as a novel treatment of ventricular tachycardia storm in patients with cardiomyopathy

Benjamin F Remo  1 , Mark Preminger  2 , Jason Bradfield  3 , Suneet Mittal  2 , Noel Boyle  3 , Anuj Gupta  1 , Kalyanam Shivkumar  3 , Jonathan S Steinberg  2 , Timm Dickfeld  4
Affiliations

Safety and efficacy of renal denervation as a novel treatment of ventricular tachycardia storm in patients with cardiomyopathy

Benjamin F Remo et al. Heart Rhythm. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Modulation of the autonomic nervous system has been used to treat refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT). Renal artery denervation (RDN) is under investigation for the treatment of sympathetic-driven cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the largest case series to date using RDN as adjunctive therapy for refractory VT in patients with underlying cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Four patients with cardiomyopathy (2 nonischemic, 2 ischemic) with recurrent VT despite maximized antiarrhythmic therapy and prior endocardial (n = 2) or endocardial/epicardial (n = 2) ablation underwent RDN ± repeat VT ablation. RDN was performed spirally along each main renal artery with either a nonirrigated (6 W at 50°C for 60 seconds) or an open irrigated ablation catheter (10-12 W for 30-60 seconds). Renal arteriography was performed before and after RDN.

Results: RDN was well tolerated acutely and demonstrated no clinically significant complications during follow-up of 8.8 ± 2.6 months (range 5.0-11.0 months). No hemodynamic deterioration or worsening of renal function was observed. The number of VT episodes was decreased from 11.0 ± 4.2 (5.0-14.0) during the month before ablation to 0.3 ± 0.1 (0.2-0.4) per month after ablation. All VT episodes occurred in the first 4 months after ablation (2.6 ± 1.5 months). The responses to RDN were similar for ischemic and nonischemic patients.

Conclusion: This case series provides promising preliminary data on the safety and effectiveness of RDN as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of patients with cardiomyopathy and VT resistant to standard interventions.

Keywords: Cardiomyopathy; Renal denervation; Ventricular tachycardia; Ventricular tachycardia storm.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cumulative ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes before and after renal denervation (RDN).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Selective right renal artery angiograms. A: Before radio-frequency ablation. B: During radiofrequency ablation. C: After radio-frequency ablation, with “dimpling” at ablation site (red arrow).
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