Cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation as a complication occurRing during rigid bronchoscopic laser therapy

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2003 Jan-Mar;59(1):88-90.

Abstract

Laser bronchoscopy is a usually well tolerated procedure for the treatment of obstructive lesions on the tracheobronchial tree, with a very low morbidity and mortality rate. Cardiovascular complications, including atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and myocardial ischemia, have only rarely been reported during laser bronchoscopy. Cardiac arrhythmias during such a procedure are usually well tolerated but occasionally may be life threatening. Here we report a case of a young, female patient affected by Pulmonary Tuberculosis with a cicatricial stenosis of the left main bronchus who developed an episode of prolonged cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (and no signs of acute myocardial ischemia) during rigid broncoscopic laser-therapy. Underlying Coronary Artery Disease and other cardiac abnormalities were also excluded by subsequent cardiovascular examination. The clinical implications are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bronchial Diseases / complications
  • Bronchial Diseases / surgery*
  • Bronchoscopy / adverse effects*
  • Constriction, Pathologic
  • Female
  • Heart Arrest / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / etiology*