The objective of this study is to determine if there is a meaningful benefit to using the sedative medication dexmedetomidine in the acute treatment of patients with recurrent ventricular arrhythmias, known as electrical storm. This will be a multi-centre, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Patients with electrical storm will be randomized to receive 48 to 72 hours of dexmedetomidine or placebo as part of their initial treatment in an intensive care unit.
None
Refractory shock lasting for more than 30 minutes unrelated to ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), defined as requiring two or more vasopressors
SCAI class D or E cardiogenic shock
Cardiac arrest(s) with a no-flow and low-flow total time of greater than 10 minutes prior to recruitment.
ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)-induced VA with signs of active ischemia.