An Unexpected Cardiac Arrest After Spinal Anesthesia for a Cesarean Section: A Case Report
Carolina Madruga1, Maria Inês Taborda1, Douglas Levier1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Unidade Local de Saúde de Amadora/Sintra, Amadora, PRT.
Cureus
|October 24, 2025
Summary
Spinal anesthesia in pregnant patients can trigger the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, causing cardiac arrest. Prompt recognition and resuscitation are crucial for maternal and fetal survival in obstetric emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiac arrest in pregnancy is a rare but critical event.
- Neuraxial anesthesia, while common in obstetrics, carries risks of cardiovascular complications.
- The Bezold-Jarisch reflex is a potential mechanism for bradycardia and asystole after spinal anesthesia.
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