Cardiac Arrest During Liver Resection: two cases report

Abstract Background Patients with liver diseases often require surgery, and liver resection is a common surgical procedure. Intermittent Pringle Maneuver (IPM) is always used to control blood loss during liver resection surgery, but ischemia-reperfusion injury reduced by IPM will lead rapid change of internal environment, which will increase patients’ perioperative risk. Case presentation We reported a 59-year-old male and a 44-year-old male who underwent liver resection surgery for liver cancer and hepatolithiasis respectively. Cardiac arrest occurred during the procedure. Luckily, with high quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electrical defibrillation, acidosis correction, as well as the treatment of lowering K⁺ and increasing Ca²⁺, they were rescued. The two patients recovered well without complication in 1-month followed-up. Conclusion In liver resection, the anesthesiologists need to pay close attention to the electrocardiography changes, especially at the moment of vascular opening during IPM. In addition, how to ensure the stability of patients’ internal environment during liver resection is an important clinical research work, which will provide evidence-based medical reference for anesthesiologists.