Fatal arrhythmia following intraoperative continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion chemotherapy.

Abstract

Continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion chemotherapy (CHPPC) offers a safe alternative to manage peritoneal tumor seeding in advanced cancer patients. A 65-year-old male underwent exploratory laparotomy for advanced gastric cancer with intraabdominal carcinomatosis and massive ascites. Life-threatening dysrrhythmia of ventricular rhythm with a rate of 120 beats/min developed during the performance of intraoperative CHPPC following eradication of the main tumor. With timely cardiopulmonary resuscitation, appropriate fluid replacement, correction of electrolyte imbalance, and cooling of body temperature, the patient regained effective cardiopulmonary circulation without sequela.