CARDIAC-ARREST ASSOCIATED WITH SULPROSTONE USE DURING CESAREAN-SECTION

Sulprostone, a synthetic prostaglandin with potent uterotonic action, has been shown to have a low complication rate in a large series. We p resent a cae in which a bolus intravenous injection of sulprostone 30 `g was administered to treat postpartum haemorrhage during caesarean s ection. The 38-year-old patient with no previous cardiac or smoking hi story developed complete heart block, ventricular fibrillation and sub sequent asystole. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was successful after 4 5 minutes. Post resuscitation there was not myocardial infarction and she had complete neurological recovery. We postulate that the bolus of sulprostone resulted in possible coronary spasm that resulted in card iac arrest.