Left stellate ganglion blockade for the management of drug-resistant electrical storm.

Background:   Electrical storm (ES) is a syndrome characterized by rapidly recurrent ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia. The most common precipitants include ongoing or recent myocardial ischemia, exacerbating congestive heart failure, arrhythmogenic medications, and electrolyte disturbances.

Objective:   We describe the case of a patient who developed ES seventy-two hours status post triple vessel coronary artery bypass grafting that did not respond to conservative treatment and required approximately 70 electrical shocks.

Conclusions:   The patient was rapidly stabilized following left stellate ganglion blockade.