Abstract
Purpose
To present a case report where propofol abolished recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) and to suggest a mechanism by which this may have occurred.
Clinical features
A 65-yr-old male was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with electrical storm. Recurrent episodes of VT persisted despite maximal anti-arrhythmic therapy and resulted in a prolonged ICU course and the need for intra-aortic balloon pump support. This was complicated by an ischemic limb, necessitating an anesthetic for femoral thrombectomy. On several occasions while in the ICU, episodes of VT had resolved with boluses of propofol prior to planned cardioversion. In the operating room, episodes of non-sustained VT resolved after a bolus of propofol and remained suppressed for the duration of the case with the use of a propofol infusion.
Conclusion
The effects of propofol on cardiac conduction and on the autonomic nervous system have been studied but its effects on arrhythmias are not well documented. In this case report, propofol was associated with the resolution and suppression of VT. Recent evidence suggests that sympathetic blockade may be an effective treatment for electrical storm. This may be the mechanism by which propofol can abolish this arrhythmia intraoperatively.
Résumé
Objectif
Présenter un cas où le propofol a aboli une tachycardie ventriculaire récurrente (TV) et tenter d’expliquer le mécanisme qui a produit cet effet.
Éléments cliniques
Un homme de 65 ans a été hospitalisé à l’unité des soins intensifs (USI), victime d’une tempête électrique. Des épisodes récurrents de TV ont persisté malgré un traitement antiarythmique maximal et ont entraîné un traitement prolongé à l’USI et le besoin d’un ballon intra-aortique. La situation s’est compliquée par une ischémie d’un membre, ce qui a nécessité une anesthésie pour thrombectomie fémorale. À quelques reprises, à l’USI, des épisodes de TV ont été traités avec des bolus de propofol avant la cardioversion planifiée. Dans la salle d’opération, des épisodes non soutenus de TV ont été supprimés après un bolus de propofol et sont demeurés ainsi pendant toute la durée de l’intervention avec l’utilisation d’une perfusion de propofol.
Conclusion
Les effets du propofol sur la conduction cardiaque et sur le système nerveux autonome ont été étudiés, mais ses effets sur les arythmies ne sont pas encore bien connus. Dans le cas présent, le propofol est associé à la résolution et à la suppression de TV. Des observations récentes portent à croire que le blocage sympathique pourrait traiter efficacement la tempête électrique. C’est peut-être le mécanisme par lequel le propofol peut abolir l’arythmie pendant l’opération.
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Burjorjee, J.E., Milne, B. Propofol for electrical storm; a case report of cardioversion and suppression of ventricular tachycardia by propofol. Can J Anesth 49, 973–977 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03016886
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03016886