Electrical storm and catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia days after left ventricular assist device implantation

Abstract

Ventricular arrhythmias are common complication associated with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). We present a challenging case of a 57-year-old male LVAD recipient who developed ventricular tachycardia refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs and device therapy in the early postoperative period and was eventually successfully treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation. Ventricular arrhythmias were successfully mapped, eliminated with ablation, and remained non-inducible. is case demonstrates that ventricular arrhythmia catheter ablation can be feasible, e ective, and safe in LVAD recipients with a scar-related electrical storm even days after LVAD implantation. Although optimal treatment strategy in this patient population still needs to be de ned, catheter ablation should be considered in LVAD recipients with ventricular arrhythmias refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs and device therapy representing a treatment of last resort.