Post-operative Non-sustained Ventricular Tachycardia in a COVID-19 Positive Patient After Ketamine and Dexmedetomidine Infusion

We present a case of an elderly, 75-year-old gentleman with COVID-19 infection and a permanent pacemaker in place, presenting for elective procedure, under monitored anesthesia care with dexmedetomidine. In the postoperative period, while still in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), the patient became unresponsive and was found to have episodes of arrhythmia. The patient was managed in the PACU by the anesthesia team. To date, our report is the only one addressing cardiac complications in elderly patients with preexisting cardiac comorbidity, in the immediate perioperative period.