J Korean Pain Soc.
1997 May;10(1):138-138.
Cardiac Arrest during Thoracic Epidural Blockade in the Patient with Multiple Rib Fractures
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
- 2Department of Anesthesiology, Dongin Genernal Hospital, Kangnung, Korea.
Abstract
- Rib fracture due to intense pain, may restrict patients from inadequate coughing. These conditions may produce varying degrees of complications such as atelectasis, pneumonia and arterial hypoxemia. Thoracic epidural analgesia has been used to treat pain associated multiple rib fractures because of its marked improvement in vital capacity and dynamic lung compliance. However, there are complications related to thoracic epidural analgegia which may include damage to spinal cord, perforation of dura, respiratory depression, decrease heart rate and arterial blood pressure. We experienced such a case of cardiac arrest during thoracic epidural analgegia while treating a patient for multiple rib fractures.