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Updated: Sep 4, 2026

Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: May 29, 2015
Bilateral robotic sympathectomy for recurrent ventricular tachycardia in a patient with complex cardiovascular
John J Tumminello1, Alexander Pohlman2,3, Zaid M Abdelsattar1,2,4
1Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S 1st Ave, Maywood, IL 60153, United States.
Abstract:
A 76-year-old female with complex cardiovascular history requiring multiple open and transcatheter interventions presented with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) and multiple implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks. Her VT persisted despite maximal medical therapy. She underwent two left stellate ganglion blocks, which provided temporary VT suppression. She was found to have significant cardiomegaly and a large chronic descending aortic dissection on pre-operative workup, which did not require acute intervention. Given her persistent symptoms, she underwent bilateral robotic sympathectomy. She tolerated the procedure without complication and remained without ICD shocks at her 6-month clinic visit.
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