Right ventricular rupture during closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation after pneumonectomy with pericardiotomy: a case report.
METHODS
The collapse of a patient immediately after right pneumonectomy with right pericardiotomy resulted in closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation, subsequent thoracotomy, and demise secondary to right ventricular rupture.


METHODS
Closed-chest resuscitation with opened and closed chest tubes and medical and fluid interventions were inadequate, necessitating subsequent thoracotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Right ventricular rupture during resuscitation was found during subsequent thoracotomy. This rupture and inadequacy of closed-chest resuscitation were felt to be associated with the operative pneumonectomy and pericardiotomy. Pathophysiology and the role of open-heart vs. closed-chest resuscitative measures are discussed.
Kempen
P M
PM
Department of Anesthesiology CCM, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Pkempe@pol.net
Allgood
R
R
D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006341:Heart Rupture / Q000209:etiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D013908:Thoracotomy