Ventricular fibrillation during rectal examination

The case of a 74-year-old man who developed ventricular fibrillation during a digital rectal examination is presented. The patient was subsequently resuscitated and developed cardiac enzyme elevation without ECG changes, indicating a nontransmural myocardial infarction. Although controlled studies have not shown any ill effects of rectal examination in patients with acute myocardial infarction, there have been multiple case reports of bradycardia, ectopy, and ventricular arrhythmias resulting from rectal examination. The postulated etiology of the ectopy is twofold; increased vagal tone from rectal parasympathetic innervation or increased sympathetic tone from anxiety-stimulated catecholamine release. Rectal examination is definitely indicated in a subset of patients including those with gastrointestinal or genitourinary complaints, unexplained hypotension or anemia, trauma, and neurological deficits, and those who will receive anticoagulation or thrombolytic therapy. In the remaining patients, the decision must be made on a case-by-case basis. Awareness of and precautions for possible ill effects of the examination are prudent.