Successful resuscitation of a patient with critical aortic stenosis and cardiac arrest by peripheral cardiopulmonary support system.

Patients with critical aortic stenosis have an increased risk of complications during diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and those who arrest are particularly difficult to resuscitate. Recent advances in therapeutic techniques may change this unfavorable prognosis, as it is illustrated in the presented case. A 68 year-old women with critical aortic stenosis sustained a cardiac arrest during diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 45 minutes failed to restore cardiac function and rhythm, which had degenerated to ventricular fibrillation, electromechanical dissociation, and asystole. Peripheral cardiopulmonary support system restored cardiac rhythm and blood pressure, with a subsequent successful aortic valve replacement.