Transient adenosine-induced asystole in the surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms: A report of two cases

Kim, Ji Yeon; Lee, Yu Mi; Kim, Joung Uk; Moon, Youngjin; Song, Jun Gol

Case Report

Neuroanesthesia

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2012;7(1):55-58.
Published online January 31, 2012.

Transient adenosine-induced asystole in the surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms: A report of two cases

Ji Yeon Kim, Yu Mi Lee, Joung Uk Kim, Youngjin Moon, Jun Gol Song

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jukim@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

Advances in anesthetic and surgical management, such as deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and temporary clipping, have improved outcomes for intracranial aneurysm patients. However, these techniques are associated with significant risks. We report on two cases in which adenosine administration was used to induce transient periods of cardiac asystole during intracranial aneurysm surgery. This asystole resulted in profound hypotension and collapse of the aneurysm, which facilitated its safe clipping.

Key Words: Adenosine, Aneurysm, Asystole