Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Refractory Electrical Storm After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Abstract

We report a patient with refractory electrical storm after coronary artery bypass grafting who was successfully treated with thoracoscopic sympathectomy. Cardiac arrest with ventricular tachycardia occurred on postoperative day 2, and the patient required emergency support with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Frequent episodes of ventricular tachycardia prevented cardiac recovery and weaning from mechanical circulatory support. A percutaneous left stellate ganglion block initially demonstrated successful prevention of ventricular tachycardia, and definitive sympathetic denervation was achieved by a left thoracoscopic sympathectomy. The patient remained in normal sinus rhythm and gained recovery of baseline ventricular function, permitting successful decannulation and weaning of inotropic support.