Acute fatal haemorrhage during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

Shlugman, D; Satya-Krishna, R; Loh, L · Br J Anaesth · 2003

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is associated with a number of life-threatening complications. We present a case of massive and fatal arterial haemorrhage that occurred in the intensive care unit during an elective PDT on an 86-year-old woman following earlier evacuation of a traumatic subdural haematoma. An avulsed right subclavian artery was found at post mortem. Previous thyroid surgery and aberrant arterial anatomy contributed to the fatal outcome.

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