We all love cardiac arrest with VF as the presenting rhythm. These are the ones that walk out of the hospital. But, what happens when you shock, shock, shock and still VF? Today the podcast team addresses refractory ventricular fibrillation/electrical storm and specifically the role of esmolol in this condition. Esmolol is an emerging treatment for refractory VF that makes absolute physiologic sense, however the data is limited. Dr. Patrick addresses the pathophysiology, evidence and MCHD’s approach this in episode 72.

REFERENCES

1. Eifling M, Razavi M, Massumi A. The evaluation and management of electrical storm. Tex Heart Inst J. 2011;32(8):111-21.

2. Lee YH, et al. Refractory ventricular fibrillation treated with esmolol. Resuscitation. 2016;107:150-155.

3. Driver BE, Debaty G, Plummer DW, et al. Use of esmolol after failure of standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation to treat patients with refractory ventricular brillation. Resuscitation. 2014;85(10):1337-41.