[Intraoperative coronary artery spasm treated by percutaneous cardiopulmonary support in a patient with left lung...

A 53-year-old man with left lung cancer underwent left upper lobectomy and extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Shortly before the end of the operation, electrocardiogram showed elevation of ST wave and multiple ventricular premature contractures first, then ventricular fibrillations, and finally cardiac arrest. Coronary artery spasm was strongly suspected. The patient was resuscitated by cardiac massage and countershock immediately, however, such attacks repeated several times. As medication and cardiac pacing were not effective, percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) was established. The hemodynamics was stabilized with PCPS. He was weaned off PCPS the next day. He was discharged and has had no attack so far. PCPS is an excellent modality for intraoperative coronary spasm which is uncontrollable by medicines and other methods.