Korean J Anesthesiol.  2011 Dec;61(6):515-518. 10.4097/kjae.2011.61.6.515.

Fatal pulmonary embolism and coincidental cerebral infarction after spinal anesthesia: A case report

• Lee JY
• Lee SY
• Shin I
• Park C
• Lee BS
• Kim MS

• KMID: 1854067
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2011.61.6.515

Abstract

A pulmonary embolism and cerebral infarction are the second and third most common acute cardiovascular diseases after a myocardial infarction. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are important clinical challenges. In this case, a fatal pulmonary embolism and extensive cerebral infarction caused cardiac arrest during spinal anesthesia for total hip replacement surgery. Transesophageal echocardiography indicated a pulmonary embolism and brain CT showed large area of acute infarction at right middle cerebral artery territory. Pulmonary CT angiogram revealed massive pulmonary embolism findings. This paper reviews this case and suggests other preventive modalities.

Keyword

Cerebral infarction; Pulmonary embolism; Spinal anesthesia

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, Spinal
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip
Brain
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cerebral Infarction
Early Diagnosis
Echocardiography, Transesophageal
Heart Arrest
Infarction
Middle Cerebral Artery
Myocardial Infarction
Pulmonary Embolism