Gastric laceration after cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A case report

The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) persists as the best practice to maintain cerebral and coronary perfusion after cardiac arrest. Due to the chest compressions and ventilation maneuvers during resuscitation, there are common complications reported. Abdominal organs injuries occur in approximately 30% of patients, although studies show that they are under diagnosticated. The aim of this article is to report a case of massive digestive hemorrhage by gastric laceration after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, due to the event severity and rare clinic diagnostic. A 75-year-old Caucasian man suffered a sudden malaise and cardiac arrest and transferred to an Emergency Unit (EU). The set of measures recommended by Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) was performed. Despite no resistance to the passage of nasogastric survey and spontaneous healing of fresh blood exteriorization, an endoscopy showed ulcers in gastric notch with clots adhered and active blood. There was no track record of liver or gastrointestinal diseases on this patient, identifying a gastric laceration after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The mechanism by which the gastric laceration after CPR occurred is uncertain. Nevertheless, some precipitating factors are considered such as positioning of the patient during CPR, ideal point of compressions and ventilation pressure. In conclusion, this event is rare with a hard diagnostic however that could be avoided and minimized with preventive measures.