Reversal of hand peripheral ischaemia due to extravasation of adrenaline during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abstract

A 63 year old woman sustained an extravasation of vasopressor during a successful in hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation resulting in an acutely ischaemic hand. This was treated with multiple washouts of the hand due to incipient recurrence of the ischaemia. Extravasation of vasopressor is exceedingly rare and potentially devastating. This case highlights the specific problems associated with extravasation of vasopressor. We present an algorithm for treatment of these and identify the potential need to use specific antidotes for the vasoconstriction caused by adrenaline extravasation.

Keywords: Extravasation injury; Treatment algorithm; Vasopressor.