Bilateral cardiac sympathetic denervation on an ECMO patient for refractory ventricular arrhythmia: A case report.

Genetic syndrome such as Brugada syndrome can lead to lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Cardiac sympathetic denervation has been shown to be effective in ameliorating refractory ventricular arrhythmias. We present a 33-year-old black female with a medical history of Brugada syndrome with an implantable cardiac defibrillator who presented with refractory ventricular tachycardia leading to cardiogenic shock, requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Left ventricular puncture during thoracentesis.

Left ventricular puncture during a thoracentesis is a rare and unusual complication that has yet to be reported. We report a case in which a 74-year-old woman with dilated ischaemic heart disease suffered from puncture of the left ventricle during a routine ultrasound-guided thoracentesis despite following the recommended protocol and procedures. She became haemodynamically unstable and underwent an emergent thoracotomy for removal of the catheter and repair of the left ventricular wall.