Near fatal electrical storm in a patient equipped with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for Brugada syndrome

A patient with Brugada syndrome experienced incessant ventricular fibrillat ion 7 years after implantation of an ICD. General anesthesia, fast ventricu lar pacing, bretylium, and atenolol infusion were ineffective; amiodarone i nfusion was started. After 190 defibrillation shocks over 36 hours, the ele ctrical storm stopped. A multiorgan failure occurred as a complication of t he electrical storm and necessitated prolonged reanimation. Thorough cardia c evaluation revealed no structural abnormality and the patient, now on chr onic oral amiodarone therapy, remains free of arrhythmia 1 year after the e vent.