Intraoperative cardiac arrest caused by unexpected vasospastic angina requiring prolonged resuscitation using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report

BACKGROUND: Vasospastic angina (VSA) occurring during surgery is rare but can lead to sudden intraoperative cardiac arrest. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old man with hypertension, and no history of coronary artery disease, displayed an abrupt ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram (ECG) during laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery under general anesthesia. Subsequently, ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred, with a finding suggesting ischemic myocardial contracture by transesophageal echocardiography. VF was refractory to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) was introduced. Spontaneous circulation resumed 77 min post-cardiac arrest. VSA was confirmed through the patient’s clinical course and coronary angiography. Subsequently, VA ECMO was terminated, and the patient was discharged uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal CPR may be a valuable alternative to extended resuscitation for refractory ventricular arrhythmias by VSA.