Massive electrical storm can be the initial presentation of Brugada syndrome, which may require hundreds of DC shocks and IV lidocaine for stabilization, but full recovery is possible.
Alerts clinicians to Brugada in refractory electrical storm; leaves open generalizability of lidocaine plus repeated shocks.
BACKGROUND: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic arrhythmogenic disease characterized by ST-segment elevations in the right precordial leads of the electrocardiogram (ECG). These ECG changes may be concealed and BrS may present with electrical storm characterized by recurrent ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old previously healthy man was admitted with electrical storm. The patient received direct current (DC) cardioversion shocks and only after intravenous lidocaine did the electrical storm slowly subside with a total of 255 DC shocks administered during the first 24 h after admission. He fully recovered and received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Subsequent drug challenge with flecainide revealed type 1 BrS. CONCLUSIONS: Massive electrical storm can be the first symptom of BrS and the diagnostic ECG changes may be concealed at presentation. Although hundreds of DC shocks may be required during initial treatment, full recovery can be achieved.
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Peter Riis Hansen (2014) studied this question.
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