Cardiac Arrest Upon Induction of General Anesthesia

There are numerous causes of cardiac arrest in the perioperative period, including hypoxia, hypovolemia, and vagal response to medications or procedures during routine anesthetics. Initiation of adequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of epinephrine, and application of a defibrillator...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anesthesia progress 2021-03, Vol.68 (1), p.38-44
Main Authors: Dowdy, Regina A E, Mansour, Shadee T, Cottle, James H, Mabe, Hannah R, Weprin, Harry B, Yarborough, Leigh E, Ness, Gregory M, Jacobs, Todd M, Cornelius, Bryant W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Airway management
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General - adverse effects
Anesthetics
Autism
Blood pressure
Cardiac arrest
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Case Reports
CPR
Defibrillators
Dentistry
Electrocardiography
Emergency services
Epinephrine
Epinephrine - adverse effects
Fentanyl
General anesthesia
Heart
Heart Arrest - chemically induced
Heart rate
Humans
Hypoxia
Intubation
Male
Medical personnel
Polypharmacy
Pulse oximetry
Ultrasonic imaging
Vagus nerve
Ventilators
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Summary:There are numerous causes of cardiac arrest in the perioperative period, including hypoxia, hypovolemia, and vagal response to medications or procedures during routine anesthetics. Initiation of adequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of epinephrine, and application of a defibrillator, with shocking when applicable, are all essential steps in achieving return of spontaneous circulation. Knowledge and utilization of monitoring equipment can alert the provider to problems leading to cardiac arrest as well as ensure proper resuscitative efforts during the event. Polypharmacy is quite common with many of today's special needs patients. It is important to understand the medications they are taking as well as the potential interactions that may occur with drugs given during sedation and general anesthesia. The following is a case report of cardiac arrest including asystole and pulseless electrical activity in a 27-year-old man with autism and behavioral problems who presented for restorative dentistry under general anesthesia in the ambulatory surgery setting.
ISSN:0003-3006
1878-7177
DOI:10.2344/anpr-67-03-08