Spontaneous tension pneumoperitoneum presenting as an out of hospital cardiac arrest: A case report and review of the literature. Issue 4 (3rd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Smet, Roel; De Paepe, Peter; Buylaert, Walter; Hachimi Idrissi, Said
• Is Part Of: Acta clinica belgica. Volume 71:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 258
• Page End: 262
• Publication Date: 2016-07-03
• Subjects: Tension pneumoperitoneum -- Spontaneous -- Out of hospital arrest -- Resuscitation; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Diagnosis, Laboratory -- Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2015.1105611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1784-3286

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives : It is known that tension pneumoperitoneum (TPP) can lead to cardiopulmonary arrest but it does not figure in the advanced life support algorithms. Therefore we discuss a case of TPP together with the literature review of its aetiology and treatment. Patient : We describe an out of hospital cardiac arrest due to a spontaneous TPP secondary to a perforated duodenal ulcer. Conclusion : Emergency personnel should consider the possibility of TPP in a patient with a distended abdomen and a cardiac arrest, even in the absence of known traumatic and iatrogenic causes for TPP. We believe that TPP should be added as a reversible cause for pulseless electrical activity in the resuscitation guidelines.