Abstract
We report a patient who underwent cervical spinal surgery and developed an atrioventricular block followed by an asystole after the administration of dexmedetomidine. Before surgery, the patient did not take β-blockers and did not show an abnormal electrocardiography. Although dexmedetomidine was initially administered at a low dose and was immediately stopped after the asystole, the asystole repeated twice within 1 hour. This cardiac event was related to the suppression of the atrioventricular conduction system by Ca blocker, fentanyl, and dexmedetomidine. Furthermore, the invasive procedure in the neck area may have been an aggravating factor. We should carefully monitor patients who undergo a cervical spinal surgery, especially surgery using antiarrhythmic agent, fentanyl, and dexmedetomidine.
