[Heart arrest in gastroscopy--report of 2 cases]

Two cases with cardiac arrest in the early phase of gastroscopy are presented. In a 83-years-old patient, the external cardiac reanimation was successful, but nevertheless the cardiac intensive therapy a 85-years-old woman died. The possible causes of cardiac complications of gastroscopy are discussed and consequences for premedication are proposed. This first communication about a fatal complication during gastroscopy in the GDR is reported to emphasize the potential rare but serious dangers of gastroscopy.