Cardiac arrest after intragastric balloon insertion in a super-obese patient

Obes Surg. 2009 Feb;19(2):253-256. doi: 10.1007/s11695-008-9606-8. Epub 2008 Jul 10.

Abstract

A super-obese patient who suffered from severe sleep apnea (SSA) and other comorbidities underwent insertion of a BioEnterics intragastric balloon (BIB) before bariatric surgery. During the night, he was victim of cardiac arrest. After cardiopulmonary resuscitation and return of spontaneous circulation, he was transferred to intensive care unit. Two hours later, he developed an unexpected symptomatic bradycardia, and BIB was removed. The patient had no further cardiac complications, but he had a poor neurological outcome. In our opinion, such a severe cardiac event was the result of several causes. The BIB induces vagal nerve activation by stretching the gastric wall. In addition, super-obese patients with sleep apnea and other comorbitities have an increased risk of potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias especially during the night. For all these reasons, we think that these patients may benefit from further preoperative cardiac investigations and a more intensive control during the first postinsertion day.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bariatric Surgery / adverse effects*
  • Bariatric Surgery / instrumentation*
  • Bariatric Surgery / methods
  • Bradycardia / etiology
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
  • Endoscopy, Digestive System
  • Gastric Balloon / adverse effects*
  • Heart Arrest / etiology*
  • Heart Arrest / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia, Induced
  • Male
  • Obesity, Morbid / complications
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery*
  • Persistent Vegetative State / diagnosis
  • Persistent Vegetative State / etiology
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications