Mental Health After Dexmedetomidine for Electrical Storm

The goal of the research study is to measure mental health and quality of life indices of individuals treated for electrical storm (ES). The consequences of being admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with electrical storm as well as the treatments patients would have received, are currently not well understood. Understanding the mental health burden of these treatments among survivors can provide insights into how to improve care. This is a study consisting of patients who participated in the SEDATE trial (dexmedetomidine vs usual standard of care to treat ES in the ICU). Patients who consent to participate in this study will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires 3-6 months after their ICU admission. The purpose of the questionnaires is to measure indices of mental health and health-related quality of life. Each questionnaire will take about 5-15 minutes to complete. If patients have a scheduled follow-up at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, a member of the research team will meet with them during their clinic visit to complete the questionnaires. Otherwise, they can be completed over the telephone.