A survival after cardiac arrest during CT scan: The critical imaging findings

Abstract

It obtains infrequently hemodynamic images of patients undergoing impending cardiac arrest. Heart pump failure causes blood stasis in the venous system and organs, which is demonstrated on imaging by the deposition and layering of contrast in the veins. We present a case of a multi-trauma patient undergoing imminent cardiac arrest during computed tomography scan under sedation. Signs of early cardiac arrest were immediately found during the examination, including contrast pooling in the inferior vena cava and hepatic veins, poor opacification of the left heart chambers and the aorta. Fortunately, the patient was quickly resuscitated, and his heart pump returned to normal. Although cardiac arrest on computed tomography scan is extremely rare, detecting imaging signs of this situation helps patients receive timely resuscitation and better survival.

Keywords

• Cardiac arrest
• Cardiogenic shock
• Computed tomography
• Contrast pooling