Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Published on: September 20, 2024
Electrical storm in children
Henning Clausen1, Andreas Pflaumer, Suleman Kamberi
1Department of Cardiology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.
Insights
Electrical storm (ES) in children is rare and challenging to manage, often requiring individualized treatment. This study characterized pediatric ES, finding diverse causes and successful outcomes with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Electrical storm (ES) is a significant clinical challenge, primarily documented in adults.
- Limited data exists on the characteristics and management of ES specifically in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize electrical storm in children.
- To guide management strategies for pediatric ES based on institutional experience and literature review.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of four pediatric patients with ES (2001-2011).
- Systematic literature review of 47 pediatric ES cases.
- Evaluation of patient demographics, ES characteristics, management, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Four pediatric patients identified (median age 5.7 years); ES varied in character and management.
- All patients survived with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators at median 5.7-year follow-up.
- Identified etiologies included catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, Long QT syndrome, and Torsades de Pointes; iatrogenic factors were noted in 3/4 patients.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric electrical storm is a rare emergency with diverse etiologies.
- Individualized management approaches are crucial for pediatric ES.
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators appear effective in managing pediatric ES.
Abstract:
Electrical storm (ES) presents a difficult management problem that has predominantly been described in adults and there are limited published data relating to children. We set out to characterize ES in children to assist management based on published literature and own institutional experience. We retrospectively analyzed the records of children presenting with ES to our institution between July 2001 and July 2011 and conducted a systematic literature review. Four children were identified (median age: 5.7 years, range: 3.3-9.6 years, one male). Each ES was of different character and different management strategies were used. All patients were alive at a median follow-up of 5.7 years and all had received implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Two patients were felt to have catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, one possible long QT syndrome and one the "short-coupled" variant of torsades de pointes. At least three of our four patients had possible iatrogenic contribution to their ES. Forty-seven cases of ES in children with variable management strategies were identified from the published literature. ES is a rare medical emergency in children with multiple etiologies requiring individualized management.
More Related Videos
10:22Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy
Published on: December 6, 2016
08:38Electroretinogram Recording for Infants and Children under Anesthesia to Achieve Optimal Dark Adaptation and International Standards
Published on: September 3, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electrical Power
Household Wiring And Electrical Safety
Insulation Coordination
Epilepsy ll: Types
Electric Charges
The English physicist William Gilbert studied the phenomenon of static electricity in...