Korean Circ J.  2007 Dec;37(12):663-665. 10.4070/kcj.2007.37.12.663.

Thrombolytic Therapy during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a Patient with Cardiac Arrest

• Kim W
• Kim YJ
• Lee WJ
• Lee SH
• Hong GR
• Park JS
• Shin DG
• Shim BS

• KMID: 2227043
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2007.37.12.663

Abstract

Thrombolytic therapy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not routinely recommended, but 50-70% of cardiac arrests are caused by either acute myocardial infarction or massive pulmonary embolism. Thrombolytic therapy can be a reasonable treatment modality for a patient suffering with cardiac arrest in an emergency situation and whose diagnosis is not known. We report here on a case with cardiac arrest and the diagnosis was not known. The patient was refractory to conventrional cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and he was treated with a bolus injection of a thrombolytic agent. He recovered completely without complications.

Keyword

Thrombolytic therapy; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Heart arrest

MeSH Terms

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation*
Diagnosis
Emergencies
Heart Arrest*
Humans
Myocardial Infarction
Pulmonary Embolism
Thrombolytic Therapy*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The serial electrocardiogram was recorded from the emergency room admission to the recovery after thrombolytic therapy. A: initial electrocardiogram at ER shows no electrical activity. B: ventricular fibrillation developed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. C: pulseless activity still remained when tenecteplase 40 mg was injected during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. D: the electrocardiogram recorded 2 hours later after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The vital signs became stable. ER: emergency room.

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