Historical perspectives on anesthetic-related cardiac arrest and resuscitation

Contemporary interest in resuscitation was historically related to anesthetic death. Primitive techniques of anesthetic administration, loss of airway control, and psychologically influenced sudden death contributed to unanticipated respiratory and cardiac arrest. Airway obstruction has remained the principal factor in asphyxial death, necessitating crucial preservation of respiratory function during induction of anesthesia. Early, disorganized overdose and arrest interventions included: application of cold water, manual artificial respiration, heat, friction and galvanic battery application. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, after years of research and experimentation became an integrated plan of attack: mouth-to-mouth ventilation and maneuvers eliminating pharyngeal obstruction were proven effective; internal and external cardiac massage was incorporated and definitive drug therapy began with epinephrine, strychnine, caffeine, carbon dioxide, amyl nitrate, coramine, metrazol and procaine. Defibrillation proved electricity converted ventricular fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm. Significant lethality still occurs from anesthetic-induced cardiac arrest, despite technological advances. Causes of operating room cardiac arrests are numerous and include sudden death syndrome. Constant vigilance distinguishes variable patient response. Immediate recognition and coordinated intervention assures success.