Abstract
The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be responsible for psychological disorders especially among patients experiencing multiple shocks. An associated hyperadrenergic state (e.g., anger, anxiety) may trigger malignant ventricular arrhythmias repeatedly treated by ICD shocks, entertaining a “vicious circle” often difficult to interrupt. Despite aggressive cardiac and psychological therapeutic efforts, this condition may be refractory, finally leading to heart transplantation, as described in this case report.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
RC Klein MH Raitt BL Wilkoff KJ Beckman J Coromilas DG Wyse PL Friedman JB Martins AE Epstein AP Hallstrom RB Ledingham KM Belco HL Greene InstitutionalAuthorNameAVID Investigators (2003) ArticleTitleAnalysis of implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy in the Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators (AVID) Trial J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 14 IssueID9 940–948 Occurrence Handle12950538 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1540-8167.2003.01554.x
SC Vlay LC Olson GL Fricchione R Friedman (1989) ArticleTitleAnxiety and anger in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Responses after automatic internal cardioverter defibrillator implantation Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 12 IssueID2 366–373 Occurrence Handle2468147 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1540-8159.1989.tb02670.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiaB3c3htVI%3D
NV Sneed N Finch (1992) ArticleTitleExperiences of patients and significant others with automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators after discharge from the hospital Prog Cardiovasc Nurs 7 IssueID3 20–24 Occurrence Handle1297142 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByyB3M7oslA%3D
B Luderitz W Jung A Deister A Marneros M Manz (1993) ArticleTitlePatient acceptance of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator in ventricular tachyarrhythmias Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 16 IssueID9 1815–1821 Occurrence Handle7692414 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1540-8159.1993.tb01816.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuD387lsV0%3D
F Godemann C Butter F Lampe M Linden M Schlegl HP Schultheiss S Behrens (2004) ArticleTitlePanic disorders and agoraphobia: side effects of treatment with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator Clin Cardiol 27 IssueID6 321–326 Occurrence Handle15237689 Occurrence Handle10.1002/clc.4960270604
MJ McCready DV Exner (2003) ArticleTitleQuality of life and psychological impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillators: focus on randomized controlled trial data Card Electrophysiol Rev 7 IssueID1 63–70 Occurrence Handle12766522 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1023699225221
MM Burg R Lampert T Joska W Batsford D Jain (2004) ArticleTitlePsychological traits and emotion-triggering of ICD shock-terminated arrhythmias Psychosom Med 66 IssueID6 898–902 Occurrence Handle15564355 Occurrence Handle10.1097/01.psy.0000145822.15967.15
R Lampert T Joska MM Burg WP Batsford CA McPherson D Jain (2002) ArticleTitleEmotional and physical precipitants of ventricular arrhythmia Circulation 106 IssueID14 1800–1805 Occurrence Handle12356633 Occurrence Handle10.1161/01.CIR.0000031733.51374.C1
C Li D Hu L Shang S Ma W Liu Y Li Z Ma C Tang Y Mei L Wang (2005) ArticleTitleSurgical left cardiac sympathetic denervation for long QT syndrome: effects on QT interval and heart rate Heart Vessels 20 137–141 Occurrence Handle16025361 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00380-005-0820-1 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXhtFKqur7O
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Parsai, C., Bonvini, R., Schnetzler, B. et al. Cardiac transplantation in a patient with emotionally triggered implantable cardioverter defibrillator storms. Heart Vessels 22, 349–351 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00380-007-0987-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00380-007-0987-8