Cardiac sympathetic denervation for untreatable ventricular tachycardia in structural heart disease. Strengths and pitfalls of evolving surgical techniques

Abstract

Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) is a valuable option in the setting of refractory ventricular arrhythmias in patient with structural heart disease. Since the procedure was introduced for non structural heart disease patients the techniques evolved and were modified to be adopted in several settings. In this state-of-the-art article we revised different techniques, their rationale, strengths, and pitfalls.

Keywords: Autonomics; Cardiac sympathetic denervation; Sympathetic chain; Techniques for neuromodulation; Ventricular arrhythmia.