Exploring Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation As a Treatment Approach for Recurrent Ventricular Arrhythmias: A Concise Review

Surgical Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation (CSD) has gained traction as a promising neuromodulatory therapy for Refractory Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias (RVT), particularly in patients with channelopathies and Ischemic (ICM) and Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies (NICM) who are refractory to conventional treatment. This mini review examines the pathophysiological role of the sympathetic nervous system in RVT and assesses the efficacy of Bilateral CSD (BCSD) through a literature review. Historical perspectives have traced the evolution of CSD from its initial use in intractable angina to its current application in ventricular arrhythmias. BCSD is associated with improved outcomes for refractory ventricular arrhythmias, with studies demonstrating approximately 60% reductions in implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks and over 50% shock-and transplant-free survival at 1 year after BCSD. Notably, the 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines recommend Left CSD (LCSD) for certain etiologies of RVT, including congenital long QT syndrome, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), and VT/VF storm. Both Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and Robot-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (RATS) BCSD are performed, with shorter operative times for RATS. Yet, most RVT CSD studies have a small sample size; therefore, complications may be underreported because the studies are underpowered. Although BCSD has superior reported outcomes with respect to left CSD, there may be confounding factors due to the selection of healthier patients for BCSD. Additional comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness data are needed to guide clinical practice. In conclusion, BCSD can restore the quality of life of severely impacted RVT patients; however, the benefits must be weighed against procedure-related risks, and further research should clarify the impact on long-term morbidity and mortality.