• Jianfei Xu, Xiaoyang Zhou, Zhicheng Liu, and Zhaojun Xu.
• Department of Intensive Care Medicine, HwaMei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315000, Zhejiang, China.
• BMC Anesthesiol. 2022 Aug 31; 22 (1): 275.

BackgroundPulmonary embolism is a common cause of cardiac arrest. Pulmonary embolism-induced cardiac arrest typically suffers from ischemic injuries to various organs, including the central nervous system. However, spinal cord infarction is a rare complication of pulmonary embolism-induced cardiac arrest. At present, there is no case report on the occurrence of spinal cord infarction secondary to pulmonary embolism-induced cardiac arrest without accompanied cerebral complications.Case PresentationA 72-year-old woman with dyspnea and chest tightness was admitted to the emergency room. Cardiac arrest occurred within a short period after admission. Subsequent computed tomographic pulmonary angiography revealed multiple pulmonary thromboses, which were highly suspected to be the cause of cardiac arrest. Thrombolytic therapy with alteplase was given after the return of spontaneous circulation. Unfortunately, she was found to be paraplegic in both lower extremities after regaining consciousness. Spinal cord infarction was confirmed by thoracic magnetic resonance imaging.ConclusionsDespite receiving high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, patients with cardiac arrest are at high risk of ischemic injury to the central nervous system. After the recovery of consciousness, clinicians should pay more attention to preclude the possibility of spinal cord infarction.© 2022. The Author(s).

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