The Lazarus phenomenon following recreational drug use

Abstract

A case is reported of the Lazarus phenomenon (the return of spontaneous circulation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation had been abandoned) in a patient following recreational drug use. The implications for management of cardiac arrest in the emergency department are discussed. (Emerg Med J 2001;18:74-75)

Delayed return of spontaneous circulation (the Lazarus phenomenon) after cessation of out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation

“…Based solely on case reports, the Lazarus phenomenon appears to be exceptionally rare, although surveys suggest that it may be much more common than believed and highly underreported. Case reports cover a wide range of patients (age, previous medical history, aetiology of cardiac arrest) and settings (prehospital, emergency department, intensive care unit), indicating that the Lazarus phenomenon is not confined to a specific patient type or clinical setting [2][3][4][5]7]. We should also note that these reports do not indicate that any decision to halt a resuscitation attempt is or was incorrect.…”

“…The delayed return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after the cessation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is also called the Lazarus phenomenon or autoresuscitation. It was first reported in 1982 [1] and, thereafter, numerous case reports and three surveys have been published [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. However, no prospective studies of the Lazarus phenomenon have been conducted and, hence, its true incidence remains unknown.…”

Return of spontaneous circulation after cessation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a case of digoxin overdosage

“…At the request of the two sisters Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John, xi, 41 Á/44). Many causes have been postulated to explain Lazarus phenomena, including hyperkalemia, transient asystole after defibrillation, pressure changes within the chest due to dynamic hyperinflation, and following recreational drug use [3,4]. See Table I for a summary of reported cases of Lazarus phenomenon [3].…”

An Intraoperative Case of Spontaneous Restoration of Circulation from Asystole: A Case of Lazarus Phenomenon

“…Previous reports have tried to associate this phenomenon with various mechanisms or coincidences. More specifically, drug abuse, such as opioids and cocaine, has been associated with the phenomenon [6]. …”