Placement of a Continuous Stellate Ganglion Block for Treatment of Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation in the Setting of Known Prinzmetal Angina During Pregnancy: A Case Report

A A Pract. 2019 Feb 15;12(4):106-108. doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000000858.

Abstract

A patient with a history of Prinzmetal angina, refractory ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrest with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and obesity presented to the emergency department at 17 weeks gestational age with a chief complaint of angina and multiple episodes of defibrillation. A T3/4 thoracic epidural was placed to assess the effectiveness of a partial chemical sympathectomy in alleviating symptoms of angina as well as decreasing the amount of defibrillation episodes. Once this proved to be beneficial in accomplishing both of these goals, a more specific approach was designed. A continuous stellate ganglion block was then placed controlling both her angina and preventing further episodes of defibrillation long enough for her pregnancy to progress beyond 24 weeks gestational age.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angina Pectoris, Variant / therapy*
  • Autonomic Nerve Block*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Stellate Ganglion
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / therapy*
  • Young Adult