Low-energy cardioversion of ventricular tachycardia: When less is more

Abstract

Herein we report the case of a patient who was admitted in ventricular tachycardia after having received multiple ineffective (and sometimes pro-arrhythmic) high-energy internal shocks from his ICD and who was finally successfully treated by a commanded low-energy internal cardioversion of 0.6 J. This article revisits the use of low-energy shocks and discusses their electrophysiogical mechanisms and clinical implications.

Keywords

• Ventricular tachycardia
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
• Pro-arrhythmia
• Shock