Curative effect of esmolol on ventricular electrical storm in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Objective To observe the curative effect of esmolol on ventricular electrical storm in the patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).Methods The patients(n=42) with ACS complicated by ventricular electrical storm [refractory ventricular tachycardia(VT) and ventricular fibrillation(VF)] were chosen from Jun.2008 to Feb.2013,and randomly divided into control group(n=22) and intervention group(n=20).The control group was given amiodarone and/or lidocaine and electroversion,and intervention group was given esmolol(loading dose=0.5 mg/kg and maintenance dose=0.05 mg/kg.min) and electroversion besides of the same drugs as control group.The success rate of electroversion and adverse reactions were observed in two groups.Results The success rate of terminating VT and VF was significantly higher in intervention group than that in control group(95%vs.77.3%,P0.05).There was one case in intervention group and five cases in control group died of uncontrollable arrhythmia.There were 2 cases with hypotension who were recovered after reducing drug dose or adding low-dose dopamine.There was one case with severe sinus bradycardia in two groups respectively who was recovered after implanting temporary pacemakers.Conclusion The intravenous injection of esmolol is a safe and effective treatment strategy for treating ACS complicated by ventricular electrical storm,and its curative effect is better than traditional treatment strategy.