[Cardiac arrest secondary to pacemaker dysfunction during general anesthesia in a young adult patient]

Abstract

The number of patients with cardiac pacemaker is continuously increasing. The anesthetic management of these patients is often trivialized, particularly during minor surgery. However there is always a potential risk of dysfunction during anesthesia. Perioperative management of these patients must be careful and standardized to avoid accidents. We report a case of cardiac arrest during general anesthesia for a day-surgery secondary to pacemaker dysfunction by increasing pacing thresholds in a young adult patient. Rapid onset after induction, without any surgical stimulation, has raised the question of the involvement of anesthetic drugs like propofol.

Keywords: Anesthésie générale; Arrhythmia; Asystole; Asystolie; General anesthesia; Pacemaker; Pacing thresholds; Propofol; Seuil de stimulation; Troubles du rythme.