Video-assisted thoracoscopic cardiac denervation: a potential novel therapeutic option for children with intractable ventricular arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: Left cardiac sympathetic denervation is one of the therapeutic modalities used in the management of patients with medically refractory long QT syndrome. Traditionally, a thoracotomy or cervical incision has been used as the standard surgical approach for performing left cardiac sympathetic denervation. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery allows a minimally invasive technique. There is only one published series on the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for left cardiac sympathetic denervation in patients with long QT syndrome.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective clinical review of pertinent medical records and report a series including 9 pediatric patients (4 long QT syndrome, 4 catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and 1 idiopathic ventricular tachycardia) who underwent a left cardiac sympathetic denervation by means of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

RESULTS: There were no severe complications, and 6 of 7 symptomatic patients with available follow-up experienced marked improvement in the first month after sympathectomy.

CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive procedure provides a safe novel therapeutic option for children with drug-refractory catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and other catecholamine-triggered arrhythmias.