IV-amiodarone-refractory VT storms were triggered by premature ventricular contractions with significantly narrower QRS complexes compared to amiodarone-sensitive VT storms (121 vs 179 ms, P<0.01).
Observational (n=30)
No
What are the clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of VT storms refractory to intravenous amiodarone compared to those suppressed by it?
VT storms refractory to IV-amiodarone are characterized by relatively narrow QRS tachycardia and narrow triggering PVCs, suggesting a Purkinje fiber origin that may respond to IV-mexiletine and catheter ablation.
Absolute Event Rate: 121% vs 179%
p-value: p=<0.01
BACKGROUND: Few reports are available on the characteristics of electrical storms of ventricular tachycardia (VT storm) refractory to intravenous (IV) amiodarone. METHODS AND RESULTS: IV-amiodarone was administered to 60 patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmia between 2007 and 2012. VT storms, defined as 3 or more episodes of VT within 24 h, occurred in 30 patients (68±12 years, 7 female), with 12 having ischemic and 18 non-ischemic heart disease. We compared the clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of the patients with VT storms suppressed by IV-amiodarone (Effective group) to those of patients not affected by the treatment (Refractory group). IV-amiodarone could not control recurrence of VT in 9 patients (30%). The Refractory group comprised 5 patients with acute myocardial infarctions. Although there was no difference in the VT cycle length, the QRS duration of both the VT and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) followed by VT was narrower in the Refractory group than in the Effective group (140±30 vs. 178±25 ms, P<0.01; 121±14 vs. 179±22 ms, P<0.01). In the Refractory group, additional administration of IV-mexiletine and/or Purkinje potential-guided catheter ablation was effective. CONCLUSIONS: IV-amiodarone-refractory VT exhibited a relatively narrow QRS tachycardia. The narrow triggering PVCs, suggesting a Purkinje fiber origin, may be treated by additional IV-mexiletine and endocardial catheter ablation.
Murata et al. (Thu,) conducted a observational in Electrical storms of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (n=30). IV-amiodarone vs. Effective IV-amiodarone group was evaluated on QRS duration of triggering premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) (p=<0.01). IV-amiodarone-refractory VT storms were triggered by premature ventricular contractions with significantly narrower QRS complexes compared to amiodarone-sensitive VT storms (121 vs 179 ms, P<0.01).
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