Decision-making in a patient with cardiac arrest due to venous thromboembolism within 24 h after glioblastoma resection

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2016 Dec;158(12):2259-2263. doi: 10.1007/s00701-016-2982-2. Epub 2016 Oct 14.

Abstract

In the fulminant VTE form with cardiac arrest, systemic thrombolysis remains the most effective therapy. However, several contraindications restrict the use such as intracranial neoplasm or a recent history of intracranial surgery. Here, we report the case of a 59-year-old man who underwent glioblastoma resection and suffered from a fulminant pulmonary embolism with cardiac arrest. After CPR, continuous tPA infusion via an endovascularly placed pulmonary catheter was maintained over a period of 8 h. In this case, we report on our decision-making process and the use of local thrombolysis as a successful therapy in a patient with multiple contraindications.

Keywords: Cardiac arrest; GBM; Intracranial hemorrhage; Lysis contraindication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Clinical Decision-Making*
  • Glioblastoma / surgery*
  • Heart Arrest / drug therapy*
  • Heart Arrest / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / therapy*
  • Thrombolytic Therapy
  • Venous Thromboembolism / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thromboembolism / etiology