Successful full-term delivery after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during the second trimester of pregnancy: a case report

Abstract

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in pregnancy is extremely rare. In this case report, a 43-year-old female patient at 24.0 weeks of gestation collapsed outside her home after cardiac arrest. The paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation with defibrillation for ventricular fibrillation. Spontaneous circulation was achieved after 19 minutes. The fetus was stable during postarrest care. The patient exhibited high blood pressure with seizure-like symptoms for 2 days afterwards, which resolved with magnesium sulfate. She gradually recovered and returned to her daily activities while on treatment with beta blockers for cardiomyopathy and premature ventricular contractions until delivery. At 37.2 weeks of gestation, she underwent elective Cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. The baby weighed 2.55 kg and did not present with any complications. Here, we report a case of successful full-term delivery in a patient who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation for sudden cardiac arrest during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Keywords

• heart arrest
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• pregnancy
• term birth
• case reports