title: Cardiac arrest in pregnancy and perimortem cesarean delivery: case report and discussion.
abstract: Cardiac arrest in pregnancy is a rare occurrence, particularly in the emergency department setting. The resuscitation of a pregnant patient in cardiac arrest is unique in a number of ways. Early identification and treatment of possible etiologies, appropriate response to the physiologic changes present in pregnancy, relief of potential vena cava obstruction by the gravid uterus, and expeditious preparation for possible cesarean delivery are important considerations for a successful resuscitation. We report and discuss the case of a pregnant patient with pulmonary edema and cardiac dysfunction who presented with severe hypoxemia and subsequent cardiac arrest and underwent a perimortem cesarean delivery and simultaneous fetal and maternal resuscitation in the emergency department.
authors.affiliation: Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB. pengels@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Engels
authors.forename: Sheila C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Caddy
authors.forename: Gulnaz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jiwa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Douglas Matheson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D022561:Advanced Cardiac Life Support / Q000379:methods*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000379:methods*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy