Cardiac sympathectomy for refractory ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac sarcoidosis

Heart Rhythm. 2019 Sep;16(9):1408-1413. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.02.025. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Abstract

Background: Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) are frequently refractory to both antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy and catheter ablation (CA). Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) has been shown to reduce VA burden and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: We aimed to report our center's preliminary experience with CSD in patients with known or presumed CS and refractory VAs.

Methods: Patients with CS and refractory VAs who underwent CSD at our institution were included. Patient characteristics, procedural outcomes, and number of arrhythmic events including ICD shocks pre- and post-CSD are reported.

Results: Five patients with CS (mean age 53 ± 11 years; 2 men [40%]; mean left ventricular ejection fraction 38% ± 11%) underwent CSD for VA refractory to AAD therapy and CA. Four of 5 patients underwent bilateral CSD; 1 patient underwent right-sided sympathectomy only because of poor intraoperative visualization on the left. Procedural complications included hemothorax in 1 patient and azygous vein injury in 1 patient. The median number of ICD shocks in the 6 months pre-CSD was 5. During a median follow-up of 26 months (range 5-29 months), the median number of ICD shocks post-CSD was 0; 1 patient had sustained VA that was below the threshold for device therapy, and 1 patient had symptomatic premature ventricular contractions; both underwent repeat CA. In addition, 1 patient required cardiac transplantation for progressive heart failure.

Conclusion: CSD may be a feasible therapeutic adjunct for patients with CS and VA refractory to AAD therapy and CA.

Keywords: Cardiac sarcoidosis; Cardiac sympathetic denervation; ICD shocks; Refractory ventricular tachycardia; Sympathectomy; Sympathetic denervation; Ventricular arrhythmia; Ventricular tachycardia; Ventricular tachycardia recurrence; Ventricular tachycardia storm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cardiomyopathies* / etiology
  • Cardiomyopathies* / physiopathology
  • Cardiomyopathies* / therapy
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects
  • Defibrillators, Implantable / adverse effects
  • Drug Resistance
  • Electric Countershock / methods
  • Electric Countershock / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Heart / innervation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sarcoidosis / complications*
  • Sympathectomy / methods*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular* / etiology
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular* / physiopathology
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents