[A case of cardiac arrests before and after emergent exploratory laparotomy for panperitonitis]

We report a case of cardiac arrest before and after emergent exploratory laparotomy for panperitonitis in an 84-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, gastric ulcer, uterine myoma and dementia. She complained of lower abdominal pain, and suffered from septic shock and DIC. The first cardiac arrest occurred after anesthesia induction. Following resuscitation, a left hemicolectomy and colostomy were performed. The second cardiac arrest occurred immediately after the operation. Cardiac arrest in this case may have been due to preexisting cardiac dysfunction enhanced by septic shock. Prompt preoperative evaluation of cardiac function is necessary for successful circulatory management during anesthesia induction for surgical patients in septic shock.