Episode 190: Electrical Storm
We discuss Electrical Storm (VT storm) and how to care for the very irritable heart.
Hosts:
Brian Gilberti, MD
Reed Colling, MD
Show Notes
Background/Overview of VT:
- Definition: What makes it a storm
- Three or more sustained episodes of VF, VT, or appropriate ICD shocks in a 24-hour period
- Pathophysiology: Understanding the origin and mechanism
- Sympathetic drive/adrenergic surge
- Underlying pathology: Sodium channelopathies, infiltrative disease like cardiac sarcoidosis, etc.
- RF’s / trigger / population (reversible cause in ~25% of patients)
- MI
- Electrolyte Derangements (emphasis on potassium and magnesium)
- New/worsening heart failure
- Catecholamine Surge
- Drugs (stimulants,...