Stellate ganglion block efficacy during electrical storm reproduced by hypnotic communication: a case report

Background Percutaneous stellate ganglion block (SGB) is being increasingly used to acutely manage electric storm (ES). No evidence in management of ES with hypnosis is available. Case summary We report a case of a 73-year-old man with a severe dilatative cardiomyopathy and ES. Pharmacological therapy was titrated up to the highest tolerated dose (amiodarone, metoprolol, and lidocaine), with ES relapse after 1 week. Percutaneous SGB was effectively performed. Because of neck infection, the infusion catheter was removed and, in order to control arrhythmia relapse before surgical gangliectomy, hypnotic communication, mimicking SGB, was performed. No significant ventricular arrhythmia relapses were recorded for 3 days, when surgical gangliectomy was performed. Discussion Hypnotic communication succeeded in reproducing the anti-arrhythmic effects of a percutaneous SGB. Hypnosis, when feasible, might represent a valuable technique for patients with ES.