A fatal combination of situs inversus, pregnancy and cardiac arrest treated with an automated external defibrillator.

Abstract

A 34-year-old female suddenly collapsed and remained comatose. She was 6 months pregnant. Information on previous medical problems could not be obtained, due to a language barrier. Upon arrival of the first tier ambulance she was unresponsive with a pulse of 30 beats/min. A few minutes later, no pulse could be detected and basic life support was started with an automated external defibrillator (AED). Self-adhesive pads were placed in the conventional sternalapical position. The first and second rhythm analyses led to a no-shock decision (Fig. 1). The third and fourth analyses gave rise to shocks (Fig. 2). The patient was transferred to the hospital with ongoing advanced cardiac life support and taken to the delivery room for caesarean section. Maternal