Presumed Alcohol-Induced Ventricular Tachycardia Storm: A Case Report

Lima, Gian; Cardoso, Eduardo; Fiscus, Garret

doi:10.7759/cureus.8097

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…A relationship was demonstrated between chronic alcohol consumption and alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which is responsible for cardiac arrhythmias. On the other hand, there are many studies in the literature indicating a relationship between chronic alcohol consumption and an increased risk of AF in seemingly healthy individuals with no comorbidities (15) . It should be noted that the number of diagnosed HHS cases may not reflect the actual number of cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alcohol can increase the release of catecholamines secreted by the adrenal medulla or secreted directly by the myocardium itself (12) . An increase in both systemic and intramyocardial catecholamine levels can result in the prolongation of the P wave, which may be associated with atrial arrhythmias (7,15) . However, Mäki et al did not observe any significant increase in catecholamine levels following alcohol consumption in individuals with episodes of AF.…”

Section: Pathophysiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Holiday heart syndrome: influence of alcohol on heart rhythm

Kostrzewska¹,

Całkosiński²,

Majewski³

et al. 2021

Pediatr Med Rodz

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The impact of alcohol on human health is widely known. There is a large body of research about positive (the “French paradox”) and negative effects of alcohol consumption. The relationship between excessive alcohol consumption and cardiac arrhythmias was first described in the 1970s in people who consumed alcohol heavily, mainly on weekends or holidays, but also in those who drank little or did not consume any alcohol. The term “holiday heart syndrome” was used for the first time by Philip Ettinger with reference to healthy people without cardiovascular disease. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause arrhythmias, most often in the form of atrial fibrillation. Ethanol and its metabolites have a toxic impact on cardiac myocytes; moreover, alcoholic cardiomyopathy accounts for one-third of all cases of non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy. It is possible to restore normal heart function through early diagnosis and cessation of alcohol consumption. The prevalence of holiday heart syndrome depends on the drinking habits of the study population. Holiday heart syndrome should be considered especially in patients without overt heart disease with a new onset of atrial fibrillation. Although relapses do occur, the clinical course is mild and specific antiarrhythmic therapy is usually not warranted. People diagnosed with cardiovascular disease benefit from minimising the amount of alcohol consumption. There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink and especially those with alcoholic cardiomyopathy should strive for abstinence in order to optimise treatment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pathophysiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Holiday heart syndrome: influence of alcohol on heart rhythm

Kostrzewska¹,

Całkosiński²,

Majewski³

et al. 2021

Pediatr Med Rodz

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Acute alcohol consumption and arrhythmias in young adults: the MunichBREW II study

Brunner,

Krewitz,

Winter

et al. 2024

European Heart Journal

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Background and aims: Acute excessive alcohol intake may cause the holiday heart syndrome, characterized by cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation. Since underlying data are scarce, the study aimed to prospectively investigate the temporal course of occurring cardiac arrhythmias following binge drinking in young adults. Methods A total of 202 volunteers planning acute alcohol consumption with expected peak breath alcohol concentrations (BAC) of ≥1.2 g/kg were enrolled. The study comprised 48-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring covering baseline (hour 0), ‘drinking period’ (hours 1-5), ‘recovery period’ (hours 6-19), and two control periods corresponding to 24 hours after the ‘drinking’ and ‘recovery periods’, respectively. Acute alcohol intake was monitored by BAC measurements during the ‘drinking period’. ECGs were analyzed for mean heart rate, atrial tachycardia, premature atrial complexes (PAC), premature ventricular complexes (PVC), and heart rate variability (HRV) measures. Results Data revealed an increase in heart rate and an excess of atrial tachycardias with increasing alcohol intake. HRV analysis indicated an autonomic modulation with sympathetic activation during alcohol consumption and the subsequent ‘recovery period’, followed by parasympathetic predominance thereafter. PACs occurred significantly more frequently in the ‘control periods’, whereas PVCs were more frequent in the ‘drinking period’. Ten participants experienced notable arrhythmic episodes, including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardias, primarily during the 'recovery period'. Conclusions The study demonstrates the impact of binge drinking on heart rate alterations and increased atrial tachycardias during ‘drinking period’, and the occurrence of clinically relevant arrythmias during the ‘recovery period’, emphasizing the holiday heart syndrome as a health concern.

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Presumed Alcohol-Induced Ventricular Tachycardia Storm: A Case Report

Cited by 2 publications

References 11 publications

Holiday heart syndrome: influence of alcohol on heart rhythm

Holiday heart syndrome: influence of alcohol on heart rhythm

Acute alcohol consumption and arrhythmias in young adults: the MunichBREW II study

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