Thoracic vertebral fracture as a complication of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who suffered cardiopulmonary arrest three days after being hospitalized with an acute myocardial infarction. She underwent standard cardiopulmonary resuscitative measures for approximately 25 min before being pronounced dead. Autopsy examination revealed a recent myocardial infarction, as well as an acutely fractured tenth thoracic vertebra. Thoracic vertebral fractures are a previously unrecognized complication of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.