Amiodarone triggered Kounis syndrome complicated by refractory cardiac arrest rescued with VA‐ECMO

Abstract

Key Clinical Message An interesting case that shows an infrequent cause of cardiorespiratory arrest such as coronary vasospasm due to intravenous amiodarone induced Kounis syndrome. It highlights the usefulness of circulatory support with ECMO in the scenario of CPR. Abstract A patient with atrial fibrillation was admitted for an elective electrical cardioversion. He was given an amiodarone bolus that triggered Kounis syndrome with cardiac arrest due to vasospasm requiring emergency coronary angiography with infusion of nitroglycerin. Due to following refractory shock and severe refractory hypoxemia required mechanical circulatory support with ECMO and inhaled nitric oxide with favorable evolution. Allergy to amiodarone was later confirmed.

Keywords

• amiodarone
• case report
• ECMO support
• Kounis syndrome
• nitric oxide
• refractory shock