[Ventricular fibrillation during mild hypothermic therapy in a patient undergoing neurosurgery]

A 35 year old male for mild hypothermic therapy for neurosurgery, developed ventricular fibrillation. Total resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformation was performed under mild hypothermic therapy, with the target core temperature of 33 degrees C. Intraoperatively cooling rate was low and a reduction of peripheral temperature associated with metabolic acidosis was noted. After the conclusion of the operation and during transferring the patient to an intensive care unit, multiple ventricular premature beats were noted. Thereafter, ventricular tachycardia developed proceeding ventricular fibrillation. We suggest that careful management of thermal and cardiovascular systems is required to prevent adverse events during mild hypothermic therapy.