Post Extubation Cardiac Arrest

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A 48-year-old woman underwent a radical abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for a fibroid uterus.

She spent several days on the floor with no return of bowel function and with complaints of shortness of breath and worsening pain.

On POD #3 a CXR was done as well as a CTA which was negative for PE.

On POD #6 an abdominal CT was ordered to rule out septic pelvic thrombophlebitis and instead revealed a large amount of free air.

She went back to the OR for a sigmoid resection and ostomy.

She was extubated at the end of the case, but decompensated immediately in the OR.

She unfortunately suffered an anoxic injury and did not regain any meaningful neurological status.

She was taken off the ventilator and passed.

The family hired a lawyer.

Care at the end of the case had been provided with both an anesthesiologist and CRNA present.

The anesthesiologist was deposed.

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