Cardiac arrest due to coronary vasospasm after sugammadex administration -a case report

Sugammadex is a widely used medication for the reversal of aminosteroid neuromuscular blockades. Although sugammadex is generally regarded to be safe, concerns about the risk of serious complications have emerged.

A 57-year-old man without a history of coronary disease was scheduled for general anesthesia to undergo cardiac radiofrequency catheter ablation due to symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation and flutter. At the end of the procedure, he was given 400 mg of sugammadex. A little later, the electrocardiogram showed a sudden ST elevation on the inferior leads, followed by cardiac arrest. The urgent coronary angiography demonstrated total collapse of the right coronary artery. After two injections of intra-coronary nitroglycerin, the vasospasm of the right coronary artery was completely resolved. The patient recovered without sequelae and was discharged on postoperative day 5.

Clinicians should pay close attention to the potential risk of coronary vasospasm, even cardiac arrest, after sugammadex administration.