A Perfect Storm: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Associated Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are becoming increasingly common in oncology practice due to ease of administration and patient preference. This class of medications is relatively unknown to emergency physicians.

Here we present a case of electrical storm (ES) thought to be associated with ibrutinib, a TKI. The ES was unabated despite antidysrhythmic therapy and electrical cardioversion, and was treated with supportive care, which eventually included the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This patient had no risk factors or apparent causes of recurrent ventricular tachycardia. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: ES has not previously been described with ibrutinib, but may be associated with off-target effects of the drug.