Full Recovery after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Lateral Position Necessitated by Hemorrhagic Shock

Cardiac arrest during general anesthesia is often predictable with appropriateprognosis. However, it may have some difficulties as positions other thansupine. A 43-year-old woman underwent a left radical nephrectomy due torenal cancer while in a lateral position. Massive bleeding because of alaceration in the inferior vena cava complicated her operation. Due to rapidblood loss, pulseless electrical activity occurred. Chest compressions wereadministered with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. Following ablood transfusion, intravenous fluid administration, fresh frozen plasma,induced hypothermia, fresh whole blood and norepinephrine infusion, thepatient was stabilized. She was transferred to ICU, and after 24 hours, she wasextubated. The next week she was discharged with no neurological damage.Initiating chest compressions as soon as possible even in positions other thansupine could minimize hypoxic complications and enhance prognosis ofcardiac arrest.

Keywords:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation , Circulatory Arrest , Deep Hypothermia , Induced , Exsanguination , Posture