Arrhythmic electrical storm: an important problem in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) have a high success rate in terminating ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. During the follow-up of ICD patients, 10-30% receive multiple shocks within a short period of time, presenting as one of the most demanding clinical problems, known as arrhythmic or electrical storm. This condition is defined as attacks of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation occurring three or more times in a 24-hour period, usually requiring electrical cardioversion or defibrillation. This article reviews the clinical importance and therapeutic methods of electrical storm in ICD patients.

Keywords: Defibrillators, implantable/adverse effects; tachycardia, ventricular/etiology/physiopathology; ventricular fibrillation/ etiology/physiopathology.