Korean J Anesthesiol.  2007 Nov;53(5):664-667. 10.4097/kjae.2007.53.5.664.

Cardiac Arrest Caused by Intramyometrial Infiltration of Vasopressin during Dilation and Curettage under General Anesthesia: A case report

• Shinn HK
• Song JH
• Han JW
• Lee CS
• Ko HC
• Cha YD

• KMID: 1937385
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2007.53.5.664

Abstract

Vasopressin, an extremely potent vasoconstrictor, has been widely used for surgical hemostasis in gynecological practices. But, Intramyometrial infiltration of vasopressin is not free of side effects and may cause lethal complications including pulmonary edema, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest in spite of infrequency of reported cases. Sudden cardiac arrest was encountered just after intramyometrial injection of vasopressin in our patient undergoing dilation and curettage. We believe that this awful complication was due to baroreflex-mediated regulation of blood pressure, caused by unintentional penetration of vasopressin into the vessels. We herewith discuss the complications of the local injection of vasopressin and the safe dose of vasopressin for intramyometrial injection.

Keyword

baroreflex; cardiac arrest; dilation and curettage; intramyometrial injection; vasopressin

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General*
Baroreflex
Blood Pressure
Curettage*
Death, Sudden, Cardiac
Heart Arrest*
Hemostasis, Surgical
Humans
Myocardial Infarction
Pulmonary Edema
Vasopressins*
Vasopressins