Sympathectomy for Stabilization of Heart Failure Due to Drug-Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia

Abstract

We describe the novel use of bilateral cardiac sympathectomy in a woman with end-stage heart failure caused by ventricular tachycardia refractory to standard medical therapy who was under consideration for heart transplantation. Postoperatively, our patient has not experienced any symptoms of ventricular tachycardia, has returned to normal physical activity, and is no longer under consideration for transplantation as a result of the improvement in her cardiac function. Bilateral sympathectomy can be more effective than unilateral sympathectomy or percutaneous stellate ganglion blockade in patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia. Careful patient selection is necessary to identify patients who will benefit most from the procedure.