Bone cement implantation syndrome: a report of four cases

Cardiovascular collapse following use of methylmethacrylate for lower limb surgeries has been reported. However there are no reports of cement reaction following shoulder arthroplasty. We report series of four patients exhibiting cement reaction. Two of our patients had cardiovascular collapse following cement insertion during hip arthroplasty. Severe hemodynamic derangement and transient hypoxemia was observed during cemented arthroplasty of shoulder and knee respectively. Peripheral vasodilatory effects of the cement monomer, fat and marrow embolism and activation of the clotting cascade in the lungs, all contribute to cement reaction. Early and aggressive resuscitation with use of vasopressors, establishment of invasive hemodynamic monitoring and surgical modifications are the key to prevention of catastrophic outcome.