Cardiac Arrest and Successful Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation as a Result of a Refeeding Syndrome in a Young Female with Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder, characterized by an abnormally low body weight. This case report illustrates a 22-year old female with cardiac arrest due to a refeeding syndrome in a patient with anorexia nervosa. It features the successful use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a case of severe left ventricular dysfunction resulting in a favorable outcome. Conclusion. We present the first case of a cardiac arrest due to a refeeding syndrome in anorexia nervosa featuring the successful use of an extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation approach as a bridge to full recovery.