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Life-Threatening Electrical Storm Following Liver Transplantation: A Case Report
David Richer Araujo Coelho1, Rogerio Oliveira da Luz1, Samanta Teixeira Basto2
1Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Adventista Silvestre (HAS), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
The American Journal of Case Reports
|January 5, 2024
Summary
Electrical storm, a dangerous heart rhythm condition, can occur after liver transplantation. This case report details a patient experiencing multiple cardiac arrests, emphasizing the need for further research in this high-risk group.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Electrical storm is a rare but life-threatening condition characterized by recurrent ventricular arrhythmias.
- Liver transplant recipients face increased risk due to factors like cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, which prolongs QT intervals.
- Limited data exists on electrical storms specifically within the liver transplant population.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old woman with cirrhosis developed an electrical storm with 13 cardiac arrests due to ventricular fibrillation post-liver transplant.
- Initial management included antiarrhythmic drugs and temporary cardiac pacing.
- A dislodged pacing device led to a fatal episode of ventricular fibrillation.
Findings:
- This case highlights the challenges of managing electrical storms in liver transplant recipients.
- Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is hypothesized as the cause of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias.
- The patient experienced recurrent ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrests.
Implications:
- Further research is crucial to understand the mechanisms and risk factors of electrical storms in liver transplant recipients.
- Improved risk stratification and earlier interventions are needed for this vulnerable population.
- This case underscores the critical need for vigilant cardiac monitoring in liver transplant patients.
