Temporary cardiac asystolia induced by intraoperative irritation of the eighth right sided anterior cervical nerve root.
BACKGROUND
The 60 year old women with no prior history of arrhythmia or other cardiac symptoms was operated on for a cervical disc herniation at the level C7/D1. The C8 nerve root was visualized via a posterior approach.


RESULTS
Removal of the sequestrum and irritation of the anterior root with surgical instruments triggered cardiac arrest.


CONCLUSIONS
We offer the opinion that irritation of the anterior root led to diminished activity of the supraspinal sympathetic control system and consecutive hyper-activation of the parasympathetic system.
Hoell
T
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Bergmannstrost Hospital, Merseburgerstrasse 165, 06112 Halle/Saale, Germany.
Nagel
M
M
Beier
A
A
Kern
B C
BC
Meisel
J
J
Mast
H
H
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*