CARDIAC-ARREST DUE TO MASSIVE PULMONARY-EMBOLISM FOLLOWING CESAREAN-SECTION - SUCCESSFUL RESUSCITATION AND PULMONARY EMBOLECTOMY

A woman developed pulmonary embolism with cardiac arrest after caesare an section. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 45 min dur ing which echocardiography showed right ventricular dilatation. After stabilization, but still in a critical condition, the patient was tran sferred by airambulance to a hospital with facilities for extracorpore al circulation. A massive embolus was removed. Some hours after extuba tion the patient developed respiratory insuffiency and hypovolaemia. R e-intubation was followed by severe hypotension requiring external car diac compression for about 15 min. An emergency explorative laparotomy revealed a ruptured Liver with a subcapsular haematoma. A critical il lness polyneuropathy made prolonged ventilatory support necessary. She recovered without cerebral sequelae.