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Review
. 2015 Jan;29(1):20-34.
doi: 10.7555/JBR.29.20140147. Epub 2015 Jan 15.

Optimal antiarrhythmic drug therapy for electrical storm

Dan Sorajja  1 , Thomas M Munger  1 , Win-Kuang Shen  1
Affiliations
Review

Optimal antiarrhythmic drug therapy for electrical storm

Dan Sorajja et al. J Biomed Res. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Electrical storm, defined as 3 or more separate episodes of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation within 24 hours, carries significant morbidity and mortality. These unstable ventricular arrhythmias have been described with a variety of conditions including ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease, and genetic conditions. While implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation and ablation may be indicated and required, antiarrhythmic medication remains an important adjunctive therapy for these persons.

Keywords: antiarrhythmic medication; electrical storm; ventricular fibrillation; ventricular tachycardia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors reported no conflict of interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Electrical storm documented by implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
Electrical storm is noted with multiple separate episodes of ventricular tachyarrhythmias documented by the episode diary on an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (arrowhead). The electrograms from one event is shown in the right side of the figure with the shock of ventricular fibrillation noted (arrow).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Acute management algorithm for electrical storm.
ACLS: Advanced cardiac life support.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Management algorithm for ventricular tachyarrhythmias based on QRS morphology.
CPVT: catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia; VT: ventricular tachycardia.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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