Baroreflex Failure After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Cardiology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a common condition requiring surgical intervention.
• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a standard surgical procedure for this condition.
• Postoperative complications can significantly impact patient outcomes.

Observation:

• A 58-year-old male patient developed sudden, severe hypertension and hypoxemia immediately after ACDF.
• These symptoms prevented extubation and necessitated transfer to the critical care unit.
• The patient was diagnosed with baroreflex failure syndrome (BFS).

Findings:

• Baroreflex failure syndrome (BFS) is characterized by a loss of normal blood pressure regulation.
• In this case, BFS manifested as a sharp rise in blood pressure post-ACDF.
• The patient's condition was successfully managed with a four-drug regimen.

Implications:

• BFS should be considered in patients presenting with acute hypertension following ACDF.
• Prompt recognition and pharmacotherapy are essential for managing BFS.
• Effective management can reduce morbidity and mortality associated with this complication.