A 40-year-old paraplegic is taken to the OR for cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. She is given succinylcholine before intubation. Immediately after induction of anesthesia, she develops cardiac arrest. What is the most likely cause?
Administration of a depolarizing anesthetic agent such as succinylcholine in quadriplegics, in paraplegics, or after burns and severe trauma can result in life-threatening hyperkalemia from release of intracellular potassium.
Esophageal intubation
Hyperkalemia
Perforation of gallbladder
Hypovolemic shock
Wounds, Tissue Repair & Scars