Long-term follow up after renal denervation for the electrical storm management

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Abstract Background/Introduction Electrical storm (ES) is a potentially lethal state developing in 4–28% of ICD patients. Neuroaxial modulation (beta-blockers, deep sedation, epidural anesthesia, stellate ganglion blockade etc) is used to decrease arrhythmogenic predisposition of ventricular myocardium to trigger and maintain ventricular arrhythmias. Catheter renal arterial denervation (RDN) is recently described to prevent atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation. We used this procedure in addition to standard care to improve the results of ES treatment. Purpose This retrospective single-center case-series is aimed to analyze ES patient population and describe the effect of RDN on the in-hospital number of ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes and ICD shocks and on the mid-term survival. Methods Pts admitted to the CCU for more than 3 sustained VT episodes or more than 3 appropriate ICD shocks during the 24h period in 2017–18 were enrolled into study. Demographic, echocardiographic, ICD check up, renal arteries anatomy and mid-term mortality/transplant data were retrospectively analyzed. Results Twelve pts (10 male, age 69,3±9,8 years; 2 female, age 72,0±8,5) were included. Nine pts (75%) had CAD, 3 pts (25%) – DCM. Echocardiography revealed LVEF 30±9%, and LV EDV – 216±38 ml. Time from ICD implantation to ES onset was from 4 mos to 13 yrs. In 2 pts RDN was performed after VT ablation, in 1 pt – both RDN and VT ablation were performed during the same procedure, in 4 pts – RDN was done prior to VT ablation and in 5 pts - without VT ablation. Mean number of ablations was 4,8 per artery. The power was 2 to 11 Wt and lesion duration was 90 sec. In 1 pt RF-balloon-based technology was used to achieve RDN. Dramatic decrease in the number of VT episodes (49c52 vs. 6±2) was found in 6/12 pts directly after RDN procedure. In-hospital rhythm control was accessed in 10/12 pts, 1 pt with DCM was transferred for heart transplant despite VT ablation and RDN. There were no RDN procedure related complications in this group of pts. During mean 22 mos of follow-up 2/11 pts needed repeat hospitalization due to ES recurrence (VT ablation and 2-chamber ICD to CRT-D upgrade, respectively, were performed), 2/11 died (1-probably arrhythmic death, 1-other cause), 1/11 was lost for follow up. Total efficacy of RDN after almost 2 years in this study was 50%. Mean LVEF increased to 38±7%. Conclusion(s) Catheter renal artery denervation is effective and safe additional procedure to treat ES patients. It allows decreasing the number of ICD shocks and decreases arrhythmogenic potential of ventricular myocardium. Prospective registry is warranted. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None