Obstetric Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report

Cardiac arrest during pregnancy does not occur infrequently and is influenced by obstetric and non-obstetric factors. The patient described in this case report is a pregnant woman who suffered a leg injury that required urgent surgical repair. Moments prior to that procedure, the fetus experienced extreme bradycardia on fetal heart tone monitoring. An emergent cesarean section was performed, which was followed by the patient suffering cardiac arrest secondary to an acutely provoked pulmonary embolism. The patient underwent mechanical thrombectomy followed by EkoSonic endovascular system (EKOS) therapy, which was then complicated by a subcapsular hematoma. The patient ultimately had an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placed, was started on oral anticoagulation, and eventually recovered with discharge to her home with her newborn infant. This report aims to discuss this critical case of obstetric cardiac arrest, detailing the emergent response, clinical management, challenges faced during resuscitation, and subsequent outcomes. Through this report, we seek to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on effectively managing cardiac emergencies in pregnancy, emphasizing interdisciplinary coordination and tailored interventions to enhance survival and recovery in this high-risk group.