title: Massive pulmonary embolism presented as sudden cardiac arrest in the immediate postoperative period after laparoscopic hysterectomy.
abstract: A rare case of postoperative cardiac arrest in an otherwise healthy, 49-year-old female patient who had a laparoscopic hysterectomy, is presented. The cause of cardiac arrest was due to massive pulmonary embolism, which was detected by transesophageal echocardiography. Laparoscopic surgery is regarded as a less invasive procedure and provides a lower risk for postoperative complications. However, our is a case reminer that pneumoperitoneum may interfere with venous flow of lower extremities and predispose one to deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Anesthesiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung Hsien, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shao Wei
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Ko Mao
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Hsiang Ning
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.forename: Chieh Shien
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jawan
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003128:Coma / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D006493:Heparin