Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Prone Position

Abstract

Cardiac arrest in unusual positions represents an additional challenge for anesthesiologists. This paper reports a successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation during neurosurgical procedure in which high-quality chest compressions was performed in the prone position. The aim of this report is disclose the knowledge of resuscitation maneuvers in a position other than supine. A 77-year-old female patient presented for excision of parietal-occipital meningioma in the prone position with the head fixed on a Mayfield head-holder. During the surgical procedure the sagittal sinus was disrupted. The patient presented an abrupt hemorrhagic shock leading to a cardiac arrest by hypovolemia despite vigorous volume replacement. Cardiac massage was promptly initiated in the prone position. After two minutes, there was a return of spontaneous circulation. The patient was discharged without sequelae. We concluded that high-quality chest compressions in the prone position were able to generate sufficient cardiac output.