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| Year : 2002 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 1 | Page : 16-17 |
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Cardiac arrest during anaesthesia in Enugu Nigeria, 1994-96
PU N. Nze
Department of Anaesthesia, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
P U N. Nze
Department of Anaesthesia UNTH, Enugu
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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Aim: To determine the incidence and outcome of cardiac arrest during general anaesthesia at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective study Of 6,450 anaesthetic charts from January 1994 to December 1996 was undertaken. The cases where cardiac arrest box had been ticked were retrieved and reviewed. Information sought for included patiens age and sex, pre-operative physical status of the patient, and whether surgery was emergency or elective. These data were analysed. Results; Twelve cases of cardiac arrest were recorded giving an overall incidence of 18.6 in 10,000 anaesthetics. Ten patients were successfully resuscitated while 2 died. The incidence of cardiate arrest was significantly higher in patients with American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade 3 or poorer, and in patients for emergency surgery.
Conclusion: The study showed that poor patient selection and the timing of surgery are significant factors in cardiac arrest during anaesthesia. Anaesthetists are, therefore, advised on proper pre-operative evaluation and preparation of patients.
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