Cardiac arrest following protamine administration: a case series

Protamine sulfate is commonly used to reverse the action of heparin after catheter ablation procedures. Serious protamine-related adverse effect is rare, but its recognition and appropriate management by electrophysiologists and intensivists is important. Direct ventricular fibrillation (VF) soon after a slow infusion of protamine has not been clearly described.

We examined the records of all patients who suffered apparent adverse events after protamine administration in our electrophysiology lab from 2013 to 2018. We describe a series of three patients, all of whom suffered a precipitous fall in arterial pressure followed by VF within minutes after administration of protamine following ablation for atrial fibrillation. The same supplier of protamine was used in all three cases, but they were from different batches. Serum tryptase levels were measured in all cases, immediately post-cardiac arrest and at 2- and 6-h post-event. Immunoglobulin levels were not measured. Two patients recovered after aggressive supportive therapy; the third died despite similar support.

We have encountered three cases of profound hypotension followed by VF soon after administration of protamine. Although protamine is safe in a large majority of patients, these adverse events have led our centre to exercise greater selectivity and caution in its use.