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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo
Published on: March 31, 2016
[Asystole after combination anesthesia]
S López Galera1, D Fernández Galinski, J Echevarria Martín
1Servicio de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital de Sabadell-Corporació Parc Taulí Parc Taulí s/n, 08208 Sabadell, Barcelona.
Abstract:
A 55-year-old man with liver cancer underwent partial hepatectomy under combined lumbar epidural and general anesthesia. Asystole during postoperative recovery was followed by ventricular fibrillation. After unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts, brain death was diagnosed. In the absence of anemia, acidosis, electrolytic alterations or hypothermia, and after ruling out hemoperitoneum, acute myocardial infarction and stroke, we conclude that the clinical picture described was the result of autonomic imbalance due to spreading of the sympathetic block.
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