Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: cardiac arrest with an unexpected outcome

Jonathan Gaughran; Tom Lyne; Julia Kopeika; Judith Hamilton

doi:10.1136/bcr-2021-246780

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: cardiac arrest with an unexpected outcome

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Nov 19;14(11):e246780. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-246780.

Authors

Jonathan Gaughran¹, Tom Lyne², Julia Kopeika³, Judith Hamilton⁴

Affiliations

¹ Departement of Gynaecology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK gaughraj@tcd.ie.
² School of Medical Education, King's College London, London, UK.
³ Assisted Conception Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK.
⁴ Departement of Gynaecology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK.

Abstract

We describe the acute deterioration of a 29-year-old undergoing in vitro fertilisation. Late-onset critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome triggered a massive pulmonary embolism and subsequent cardiac arrest. While the prognosis was deemed to be poor, the patient made a full recovery. The potential reasons for this are explored.

Keywords: gynaecology and fertility; obstetrics; pulmonary embolism; ultrasonography; venous thromboembolism.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Heart Arrest* / etiology
Heart Arrest* / therapy
Humans
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome* / complications
Pulmonary Embolism* / complications
Pulmonary Embolism* / diagnostic imaging