Korean J Anesthesiol.  2007 Mar;52(3):342-345. 10.4097/kjae.2007.52.3.342.

Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) and Severe Arrhythmia Provoked by Inadvertent Profound Hypothermia : A case report

• Lee BJ
• Kang JM

• KMID: 1937601
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2007.52.3.342

Abstract

A 70-year-old man was scheduled to undergo corrective osteotomy under general anesthesia. During the operation, a fluid warmer was applied, with his body temperature assessed with the use of an axillary temperature probe. Near the end of the operation the pressure waveform from the radial artery and pulse oxymeter became flat. Palpation of the carotid artery revealed no heart rate, the electrocardiographic tracing continued to be sinus rhythm, and pulseless electrical activity was diagnosed. The infusion of cardiovascular drugs was also performed. However, the hemodynamic status of the patient deteriorated to severe hypotension, with atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia. The patient was assessed as hypothermia from a rectal temperature of 30.5oC. After active warming methods for 1 hour the cardiovascular status of the patient became stabilized.

Keyword

arrhythmia; axillary temperature; hypothermia; pulseless electrical activity

MeSH Terms

Aged
Anesthesia, General
Arrhythmias, Cardiac*
Atrial Fibrillation
Body Temperature
Cardiovascular Agents
Carotid Arteries
Electrocardiography
Heart Rate
Hemodynamics
Humans
Hypotension
Hypothermia*
Osteotomy
Palpation
Radial Artery
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Cardiovascular Agents