Outcomes of rescue cardiopulmonary support for periprocedural acute hemodynamic decompensation in patients undergoing catheter ablation of electrical storm

Background In patients with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) electrical storm (ES) undergoing catheter ablation (CA), hypotension due to refractory VT/VF, use of anesthesia, and cardiac stunning due to repeated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks might precipitate acute hemodynamic decompensation (AHD). Objective We evaluated the outcomes of emergent cardiopulmonary support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to rescue AHD in patients undergoing CA of ES. Methods Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016, 21 patients with ES (VT in 11 and premature ventricular complex–triggered VF in 10) were referred for CA and had periprocedural AHD requiring emergent ECMO support. Results In 14 patients, AHD occurred a mean of 1.5 ± 1.7 days before the procedure. In the remaining 7 patients, AHD occurred during or shortly after the procedure. ECMO was started successfully in all patients. Ablation was performed in 18 patients (9 with VF and 9 with VT). In patients with VF, premature ventricular complex suppression was achieved in 8 of 9 (89%). In those with VT, noninducibility was achieved in 7 of 9 (78%). After a median follow-up of 10 days, 16 patients died (13 during the index admission). Death was due to refractory VT/VF in 4 patients, heart failure in 11, and noncardiac cause in 1 patient. Seven patients survived beyond 6 months postablation; 5 remained free of VT/VF and 3 ultimately received a destination therapy (heart transplantation in 2 and left ventricular [LV] assist device in 1). Conclusion In patients with ES undergoing CA, the outcomes of ECMO support as rescue intervention for AHD are poor. The majority of these patients die of refractory heart failure in the short-term. Strategies to prevent AHD including preemptive use of hemodynamic support may improve survival.