Postcesarean Pulmonary Embolism, Sustained Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Embolectomy, and Near-Death Experience
Alan T. Marty, Frank L. Hilton, Robert K. Spear, Bruce Greyson
Obstetrics and Gynecology November 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1097/01.aog.0000164054.53501.96 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A woman one day post-cesarean delivery |
| Interventions | Femoral-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass embolectomy |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Keywords | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation Pulmonary embolism Embolectomy Anesthesia Intensive care medicine Cardiology |
| Citations | 12 |
| Key findings | Massive pulmonary embolism after cesarean delivery can be successfully treated with embolectomy during continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation. |
Abstract
Background: Survival after surgical embolectomy for massive postcesarean pulmonary embolism causing sustained cardiac arrest is rare. CASE: One day after an uneventful cesarean delivery, a woman developed cardiac asystole and apnea due to pulmonary embolism. Femoral-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass performed during continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation allowed a successful embolectomy. Upon awakening, the patient reported a near-death experience. Pulmonary embolism causes approximately 2 deaths per 100,000 live births per year in the United States, and postcesarean pulmonary embolism is probably more common than pulmonary embolism after vaginal delivery.
Conclusion: Massive pulmonary embolism is a potentially treatable catastrophic event after cesarean delivery, even if continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation is required until life-saving embolectomy is done.