Reversible cardiac arrest after polidocanol sclerotherapy of peripheral venous malformation.
BACKGROUND
Polidocanol sclerotherapy is a well-established therapeutic modality for the treatment of venous malformations. Systemic complications are extremely rare.


OBJECTIVE
To report a case of cardiac complication after polidocanol injection of peripheral venous malformation.


METHODS
A case report and a review of the English language literature using a published MEDLINE search strategy.


RESULTS
A patient undergoing polidocanol sclerotherapy for a symptomatic venous malformation of the right inferior limb developed cardiac arrest shortly after injection of the sclerosing agent which was promptly reversed.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic complications following sclerotherapy may occur even when the sclerosant is injected in peripheral veins or venous malformations. Clinicians should be alerted to the possibility of uncommon but life-threatening adverse effects.
Marrocco-Trischitta
Massimiliano M
MM
Center for Vascular Anomalies, Department of Vascular Surgery and Pathology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, I.D.I.-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Guerrini
Paolo
P
Abeni
Damiano
D
Stillo
Francesco
F
D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000002:abnormalities*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014463:Ultrasonography
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols