Myocardial dissection following successful chemical ablation of ventricular tachycardia

Eur Heart J. 1992 Jun;13(6):844-6. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.eurheartj.a060267.

Abstract

We describe a case of fatal myocardial rupture and tamponade following a successful transcoronary chemical ablation of incessant ventricular tachycardia. Pathological examination showed a subepicardial dissection of the heart at the ablation site with fibrous and fatty degeneration of the myocardium. The present report calls for caution, underlying a possible lethal complication of ethanol ablation which has not been described before.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary
  • Autopsy
  • Ethanol / adverse effects*
  • Ethanol / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Heart Conduction System / drug effects
  • Heart Rupture / etiology*
  • Heart Rupture / pathology
  • Heart Ventricles
  • Humans
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Tachycardia / pathology
  • Tachycardia / therapy*

Substances

  • Ethanol