full recovery after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in lateral position necessitated by hemorrhagic shock

Cardiac arrest during general anesthesia is often predictable with appropriate prognosis. however, it may have some difficulties as positions other than supine. a 43-year-old woman underwent a left radical nephrectomy due to renal cancer while in a lateral position. massive bleeding because of a laceration in the inferior vena cava complicated her operation. due to rapid blood loss, pulseless electrical activity occurred. chest compressions were administered with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. following a blood transfusion, intravenous fluid administration, fresh frozen plasma, induced hypothermia, fresh whole blood and norepinephrine infusion, the patient was stabilized. she was transferred to icu, and after 24 hours, she was extubated. the next week she was discharged with no neurological damage. initiating chest compressions as soon as possible even in positions other than supine could minimize hypoxic complications and enhance prognosis of cardiac arrest.