Korean J Anesthesiol.  2004 Mar;46(3):372-375. 10.4097/kjae.2004.46.3.372.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the Anhepatic Phase of Living-Related Liver Transplantation: A case report

• Gwak MS
• Seo SW
• Baek HM
• Kim GS
• Lee BD

• KMID: 2236708
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2004.46.3.372

Abstract

We experienced a case of unexpected sudden cardiac arrest, which developed during the anhepatic phase of living-related liver transplantation. The patient was a 56-year old man diagnosed with liver cirrosis. He had stable angina and congestive heart failure. Preoperative EKG, chest x-ray, arterial blood gas analysis and vital signs were all within normal limits. Cardiac echography was normal except for left atrial enlargement and diastolic dysfunction (grade I). Coronary angiography showed no coronary stenosis. About 10 min after the inferior vena cava had been clamped, the sinus rhythm changed suddenly to ventricular tachycardia. Lidocaine was administered and the PA catheter removed immediately but ventricular fibrillation and asystolic cardiac arrest followed. Cardiac rhythm returned about 15 min after the onset of asystole, followed by supraventricular tachycardia (up to 180 beats/min). The EKG suddenly returned to a normal sinus rhythm. He had no further episodes of arrhythmia and recovered without complication.

Keyword

Cardiac arrest; liver transplantation; pulmonary artery catheter

MeSH Terms

Angina, Stable
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Blood Gas Analysis
Catheters
Coronary Angiography
Coronary Stenosis
Death, Sudden, Cardiac*
Electrocardiography
Heart Arrest
Heart Failure
Humans
Lidocaine
Liver Transplantation*
Liver*
Middle Aged
Tachycardia, Supraventricular
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Thorax
Ultrasonography
Vena Cava, Inferior
Ventricular Fibrillation
Vital Signs
Lidocaine