Intramyometrial injection of vasopressin causes bradycardia and cardiac arrest--report of two cases.

Vasopressin has been documented to effectively reduce blood loss in gynecologic practice. However, local infiltration of vasopressin may cause lethal cardiopulmonary complications in spite of rarity of reported cases. Severe bradycardia and cardiac arrest were encountered after intramyometrial injection of vasopressin in our two healthy patients undergoing open uterine myomectomy. We herewith discuss the associated complications and the anesthetic considerations.