Major liver trauma post-mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation-the first reported case of survival with normal cardiovascular and neurological outcome.

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is often conducted with mechanical devices, such as Lund University Cardiac Arrest System in the setting of cardiac arrest during coronary catheterization, to enable effective chest compressions for a prolonged period. Certain injuries from such devices are common such as skin lesions, sternal and rib fractures. Others are rarer, such as visceral injury to the heart, major vessels, lung, liver, spleen and stomach. Major liver injuries have been previously reported but were universally fatal. Here, we report the first case of a capsular liver tear post-mechanical CPR, requiring immediate laparotomy and primary repair, resulting in patient survival with a normal cardiovascular and neurological and outcome.