A Case of Cardiac Arrest during Cesarean Section in Which the Patient Was Diagnosed as Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus after the Surgery

Abstract

A 34-year-old woman 36 weeks into her twin pregnancy underwent an emergency cesarean section due to premature rupture of the membrane after spinal anesthesia. She had no remarkable abnormalities or cardiorespiratory symptoms during her perinatal period. Immediately after the delivery of the second twin, she nearly developed cardiac arrest. Quick action and cardiopulmonary resuscitation allowed her to recover within minutes, and she was transferred to the intensive care unit after the cesarean section. Echocardiography showed a markedly enlarged right ventricle, and catheterization of the pulmonary artery revealed pulmonary hypertension. The patient was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension. However, 10 months later, she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Authors believe that the pulmonary artery hypertension was accompanied with connective tissue disorder.