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

A 58-year-old man underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Immediately after surgery, the patient experienced elevated blood pressure with a fall in oxygen saturation which prevented extubation. He required admission to the critical care unit and was diagnosed with baroreflex failure syndrome (BFS). He was managed with a 4-drug medical regimen and stabilized by the second postoperative day.

BFS should be considered in the setting of sudden sharp elevation in blood pressure after ACDF. Early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate pharmacotherapy may reduce patient morbidity and mortality.