Cardiac Arrest in an Extensive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patient

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) disease affects a large population worldwide but is often missed. Early diagnosis can be challenging at times due to failure to include TB in the differential diagnoses. Tuberculosis is a treatable disease but it can lead to undesirable consequences if left untreated. Here we report a case of a young Guatemalan woman presented with respiratory failure and extensive lung opacification on imaging who went into cardiac arrest. Post resuscitation, workup was significant for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) on sputum smear. Despite appropriate treatment, she expired. The aim of this paper is to summarize TB complications that directly contribute to mortality as many clinicians do not consider TB as an immediate cause of death.

Loss of Consciousness and Cardiac Arrest as an Atypical Presentation of Tubercular Meningitis: A Case Report

“…It was unclear whether hypoxia led to cardiac arrest or if she had involvement of myocardium at the time of presentation that triggered cardiac arrhythmia. 5 It is similar to our case, the patient presented with cardiac arrest. It was unclear whether it was due to alcohol intoxication collimating to hypoxia and cardiac arrest or involvement of myocardium at the time of presentation.…”

“…However, it should be suspected in any TB patients presenting with sudden cardiac arrest. 5 In a study the patient presented with fever, tachypnea, and cough and the patient went into cardiac arrest. It was unclear whether hypoxia led to cardiac arrest or if she had involvement of myocardium at the time of presentation that triggered cardiac arrhythmia.…”