A serious complication of thrombolysis after prolonged cardiac arrest: airway obstruction from tongue injury

Abstract

Prolonged cardiac arrest with external chest compression was regarded as a contraindication to thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction, although recent work has largely refuted previous concerns. This paper presents a serious haemorrhagic complication, which risked airway patency due to unrecognised nasopharyngeal airway-induced trauma and tongue biting. The patient required blood transfusion, and owing to the haemorrhage was unable to have rescue angioplasty. Methods of revascularisation after prolonged cardiac arrest are discussed.