International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences. 01/Nov/2017;30(6):545-9.
Tachycardiomyopathy and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report
DOI: 10.5935/2359-4802.20170079
Introduction
Tachycardiomyopathy (TCM) is a rare, but potentially reversible cause of cardiomyopathy and cardiogenic shock. It is defined by a global left ventricular systolic dysfunction secondary to persistent tachyarrhythmia, with partial (in patients with previous structural disease), or total recovery (in patients without previous structural disease) after cardiac rhythm normalization. The most commonly implicated arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation. The hemodynamic changes that characterize the patient with TCM include: increase in ventricular telediastolic and telesystolic volumes, global hypokinesis, increase in ventricular and pulmonary artery filling pressures, and, finally, decrease in ejection fraction (EF)., It manifests clinically by congestive heart failure, and, in some cases, it may develop into cardiogenic shock. There are no specific methods to identify the presence of TCM. The diagnosis is usually attained retrospectively with normalization or improvement of left ventricular dysfunction, through tachyarrhythmia reversion or control. The most frequent complications of TCM are embolic events, complications due to the evolution of arrhythmia severity with degeneration to Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)/Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and cardiogenic shock.
The treatment includes measures of hemodynamic support, frequency control, and reversion to sinus rhythm, when possible. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a mechanical device that ensures blood oxygenation and perfusion of the main organs for prolonged periods of time in patients with lung and/or heart failure. The use of this device allows the patient to remain alive and hemodynamically stable, working as a bridge to eventual recovery, transplantation, decision-making or even as a “bridge to another bridge” (for instance, as a bridge to left ventricular assist device – LVAD – as target therapeutics).
[…]
698
