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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
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Acquisition of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data in the Rat
Published on: August 28, 2021
[Cardiac arrest induced by dexmedetomidine]
Yukiko Nagasaka1, Asami Machino, Kazuma Fujikake
1Division of Anesthesia, Chubu Rosai Hospital, Nagoya 450-0075.
Masui. the Japanese Journal of Anesthesiology
|August 26, 2009
Summary
Dexmedetomidine administration in a patient with pre-existing AV block led to complete heart block and cardiac arrest. Careful consideration is crucial when using dexmedetomidine in patients with atrioventricular block.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- A 64-year-old female patient with hypertension and diabetes mellitus presented with asymptomatic first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block.
- The patient underwent a low anterior resection of the rectum under general anesthesia, without epidural analgesia.
Observation:
- Anesthesia involved propofol, vecuronium bromide, remifentanil, and nitrous oxide.
- Postoperatively, the patient received propofol, remifentanil, and dexmedetomidine (without a loading dose) in the intensive care unit.
Findings:
- The patient's electrocardiogram (EKG) showed progression from first-degree AV block to second-degree AV block, then complete AV block, culminating in cardiac arrest.
- Spontaneous sinus rhythm returned immediately following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (heart massage).
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential risk of dexmedetomidine in patients with pre-existing atrioventricular conduction abnormalities.
- Clinicians should exercise caution when administering dexmedetomidine to patients with AV block due to its potential to exacerbate conduction delays.
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