A case of refractory ventricular tachycardia successfully treated with a thoracic epidural anesthesia

A 34-year-old man with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and a cardiac lipoma who developed a ventricular tachycardia (VT) storm refractory to multiple antiarrhythmic drugs, antitachycardia pacing, and direct current cardioversion.

Thoracic epidural anesthesia (1% lidocaine 5 ml bolus followed by 0.2% ropivacaine 3 ml/hr continuous infusion) added to deep sedation and antiarrhythmic therapy.

Suppression of VT storm