Jerome Corre1, François Picard2, Rodrigue Garcia3, Adlane Zemmoura3, Nicolas Derval3, Arnaud Denis4, Antoine Romen2, Karine Nubret2, Pierre Jais4, Michel Haissaguerre4, Pierre Dos Santos3, Laurent Barandon5, Frederic Sacher4. 1. Service de rythmologie, hôpital cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, 1, avenue Magellan, 33600 Pessac, France. Electronic address: jerome.corre.974@gmail.com. 2. Service d'insuffisance cardiaque, hôpital cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, 33600 Pessac, France. 3. Service de rythmologie, hôpital cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, 1, avenue Magellan, 33600 Pessac, France. 4. Service de rythmologie, hôpital cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, 1, avenue Magellan, 33600 Pessac, France; LIRYC Institute, Inserm 1045, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France. 5. Service de chirurgie cardiaque, hôpital cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, Pessac, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ventricular arrhythmia is common after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, especially in the early postoperative phase (<30 days). AIM: To identify the incidence of and risk factors for electrical storm (ES) occurring within 30 days of HeartMate® II implantation. METHODS: We reviewed data from all consecutive patients undergoing HeartMate® II device implantation at our institution from January 2008 to December 2014. Patient demographic data, pharmacotherapies and outcomes were collected. The primary endpoint was occurrence of early ES (within 30 days of surgery), defined as three or more separate episodes of sustained ventricular arrhythmia within a 24-hour interval, requiring appropriate therapy. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (mean age 56.7±11.2 years; 39 men) were included. At HeartMate® II implantation, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 20±5%, 32 (74.4%) patients had ischaemic cardiomyopathy and 31 (72.1%) were implanted with an indication of bridge to cardiac transplantation. During follow-up, 12 (27.9%) patients experienced early ES after HeartMate® II implantation (median delay 9.1±7.8 days). Early ES was more frequent in larger patients (body surface area 1.99 vs 1.81 m2; P<0.01), tended to be associated with previous sustained ventricular tachycardia (50.0% vs 22.6%; P=0.08), previous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation (66.7% vs 38.7%; P=0.09), discontinuation of long-term beta-blocker therapy (75.0% vs 45.2%; P=0.08), weaning of adrenergic drugs after the third day (66.7% vs 35.5%; P=0.06) and the use of extracorporeal life support (50% vs 22.6%; P=0.079), but was not associated with the cardiomyopathy aetiology or the indication for assistance. Catheter ventricular tachycardia ablation was performed in six (14.0%) patients. Early ES was associated with a significantly higher all-cause mortality rate at the 30th day (33.3% vs 6.5%; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: ES is a common and pejorative feature in the early postoperative period.
BACKGROUND:Ventricular arrhythmia is common after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, especially in the early postoperative phase (<30 days). AIM: To identify the incidence of and risk factors for electrical storm (ES) occurring within 30 days of HeartMate® II implantation. METHODS: We reviewed data from all consecutive patients undergoing HeartMate® II device implantation at our institution from January 2008 to December 2014. Patient demographic data, pharmacotherapies and outcomes were collected. The primary endpoint was occurrence of early ES (within 30 days of surgery), defined as three or more separate episodes of sustained ventricular arrhythmia within a 24-hour interval, requiring appropriate therapy. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (mean age 56.7±11.2 years; 39 men) were included. At HeartMate® II implantation, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 20±5%, 32 (74.4%) patients had ischaemic cardiomyopathy and 31 (72.1%) were implanted with an indication of bridge to cardiac transplantation. During follow-up, 12 (27.9%) patients experienced early ES after HeartMate® II implantation (median delay 9.1±7.8 days). Early ES was more frequent in larger patients (body surface area 1.99 vs 1.81 m2; P<0.01), tended to be associated with previous sustained ventricular tachycardia (50.0% vs 22.6%; P=0.08), previous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation (66.7% vs 38.7%; P=0.09), discontinuation of long-term beta-blocker therapy (75.0% vs 45.2%; P=0.08), weaning of adrenergic drugs after the third day (66.7% vs 35.5%; P=0.06) and the use of extracorporeal life support (50% vs 22.6%; P=0.079), but was not associated with the cardiomyopathy aetiology or the indication for assistance. Catheter ventricular tachycardia ablation was performed in six (14.0%) patients. Early ES was associated with a significantly higher all-cause mortality rate at the 30th day (33.3% vs 6.5%; P=0.02). CONCLUSION:ES is a common and pejorative feature in the early postoperative period.