Diaphragmatic rupture and massive pneumoperitoneum after cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Introduction: Although cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency life-saving procedure, the intervention itself can cause major and often fatal injuries, with diaphragmatic rupture being very rare. This report describes a patient who experienced bilateral pneumothoraces, left diaphragmatic rupture, and pneumoperitoneum after extended cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Case presentation: A 90-year-old woman experienced a cardiac arrest. Spontaneous circulation was restored after 49 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by a bystander, emergency medical service providers, and emergency department staff. Imaging showed bilateral pneumothoraces, left diaphragmatic rupture, and massive pneumoperitoneum. The patient’s guardian refused to permit surgery for the diaphragmatic rupture, and the patient died despite chest and abdominal decompression and post-cardiac arrest care. Discussion and conclusion: Procedures to restore spontaneous circulation in patients experiencing cardiac arrest may result in fatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation–related injuries. Clinicians providing post-cardiac arrest care should plan management for these iatrogenic injuries.