Temporary cardiac asystolia induced by intraoperative irritation of the eighth right sided anterior cervical nerve root.

BACKGROUND

The 60 year old women with no prior history of arrhythmia or other cardiac symptoms was operated on for a cervical disc herniation at the level C7/D1. The C8 nerve root was visualized via a posterior approach.

FINDINGS: Removal of the sequestrum and irritation of the anterior root with surgical instruments triggered cardiac arrest.

INTERPRETATION: We offer the opinion that irritation of the anterior root led to diminished activity of the supraspinal sympathetic control system and consecutive hyper-activation of the parasympathetic system.