Extracorporeal CPR and intra-aortic balloon pumping in tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy complicating cardiac arrest

Am J Emerg Med. 2017 Aug;35(8):1208.e5-1208.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.03.055. Epub 2017 Mar 22.

Abstract

Although tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) due to atrial fibrillation occurs frequently, it is under-recognized in clinical settings. TIC has a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic tachycardia to cardiomyopathy leading to end stage heart failure. We present a case of a 48year-old-woman who presented as cardiogenic shock, and rapidly progressed to cardiac arrest from recently diagnosed but undertreated atrial fibrillation, resulting TIC in the emergency department (ED). She was rescued by extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) for refractory cardiac arrest in the ED, and received concomitant intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) support for severe left ventricular failure. Cardiogenic shock can present as an initial manifestation of TIC, and E-CPR and subsequent IABP support can be a valuable rescue therapy for severe TIC.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Cardiomyopathies; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Heart arrest.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology*
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / methods*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Arrest / diagnosis
  • Heart Arrest / physiopathology
  • Heart Arrest / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / diagnosis
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / physiopathology
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome