Electrical storm following pregnancy in systemic scleroderma: A case report

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by immune dysfunction, vascular damage, and fibrosis affecting the skin and multiple internal organs, such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. In some women with preexisting SSc, pregnancy is associated with negative maternal outcomes. Tachyarrhythmia is a common clinical manifestation of cardiovascular damage in SSc patients. However, few studies have reported the use of catheter ablation and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in patients with SSc complicated by ventricular tachycardia (VT).CaseA 19‐year‐old woman known case of SSc referred to our center with recurrent VT during pregnancy and after delivery. Two‐dimensional Echocardiogram showed severe systolic dysfunction with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 30%. Considering, recurrent VT despite medical treatment and the progressive nature of systemic sclerosis radiofrequency catheter (RF) ablation and ICD implantation were performed.ConclusionWe report a case of systemic sclerosis complicated by VT and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction during pregnancy that was successfully treated with RF ablation.