Ten-year follow-up of cardiac sympathectomy in a young woman with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2009 Oct;20(10):1167-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2009.01441.x. Epub 2009 Feb 26.

Abstract

Current recommendations for therapy of catecholaminergic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) include beta blockade and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Patients may experience recurrent arrhythmias, ICD shocks and, rarely, sudden death despite optimal medical therapy. We report a young woman with CPVT who received frequent ICD shocks despite beta blockade, who subsequently underwent cardiac sympathectomy with a dramatic reduction in shocks over 10 years of follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Defibrillators, Implantable*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Sympathectomy / methods*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / prevention & control*
  • Treatment Outcome