The Bezold–Jarisch Reflex Following an Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of an Intraosseous Clival Myxoma: A Case Report

In certain contexts, young and healthy patients with a strong heart and a history of vasovagal syncope are at increased risk of cardiac arrest. An increase in vagal tone results in the normal maintenance of arterial pressure shifting into parasympathetic activation and sympathetic suppression, ampli...

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Main Authors: Abigail Peterson, Omar Hussain, Nathan Zwagerman, Harvey Woehlck
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Anesthesiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/cria/3336045
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author Abigail Peterson
Omar Hussain
Nathan Zwagerman
Harvey Woehlck
author_facet Abigail Peterson
Omar Hussain
Nathan Zwagerman
Harvey Woehlck
author_sort Abigail Peterson
collection DOAJ
description In certain contexts, young and healthy patients with a strong heart and a history of vasovagal syncope are at increased risk of cardiac arrest. An increase in vagal tone results in the normal maintenance of arterial pressure shifting into parasympathetic activation and sympathetic suppression, amplifying afferent mechanoreceptors and, in rare instances, inducing asystole. We report the case of a 17-year-old patient with a past medical history of syncope who went into asystole while maintaining consciousness and protecting his airway when recovering from anesthesia in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) following endoscopic endonasal resection of an intraosseous clival myxoma. Chest compressions were initiated and epinephrine was administered, allowing for return of spontaneous circulation to be quickly achieved. While being transferred to the intensive care unit, the patient’s heart rate dropped to 20 bpm while sitting in Fowler’s position, causing vasovagal syncope which was then resolved by laying the patient supine and 0.8 mg of glycopyrrolate administration. The altered sympathetic to parasympathetic tone resulting in asystole within this case and cardiac beta-agonist stimulation by epinephrine injection provide evidence that the Bezold–Jarisch reflex occurred. This case suggests that the intracranial internal carotid arteries can potentially display similar mechanical sensitivity as the carotid sinus and questions the validity of electrocardiogram readings during this reflex, as the patient remained conscious while in asystole.
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spelling doaj-art-a710408003024a76b5fb3638ea4f4a0c2025-08-20T02:11:04ZengWileyCase Reports in Anesthesiology2090-63902025-01-01202510.1155/cria/3336045The Bezold–Jarisch Reflex Following an Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of an Intraosseous Clival Myxoma: A Case ReportAbigail Peterson0Omar Hussain1Nathan Zwagerman2Harvey Woehlck3Department of NeurosurgeryDepartment of NeurosurgeryDepartment of NeurosurgeryDepartment of AnesthesiologyIn certain contexts, young and healthy patients with a strong heart and a history of vasovagal syncope are at increased risk of cardiac arrest. An increase in vagal tone results in the normal maintenance of arterial pressure shifting into parasympathetic activation and sympathetic suppression, amplifying afferent mechanoreceptors and, in rare instances, inducing asystole. We report the case of a 17-year-old patient with a past medical history of syncope who went into asystole while maintaining consciousness and protecting his airway when recovering from anesthesia in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) following endoscopic endonasal resection of an intraosseous clival myxoma. Chest compressions were initiated and epinephrine was administered, allowing for return of spontaneous circulation to be quickly achieved. While being transferred to the intensive care unit, the patient’s heart rate dropped to 20 bpm while sitting in Fowler’s position, causing vasovagal syncope which was then resolved by laying the patient supine and 0.8 mg of glycopyrrolate administration. The altered sympathetic to parasympathetic tone resulting in asystole within this case and cardiac beta-agonist stimulation by epinephrine injection provide evidence that the Bezold–Jarisch reflex occurred. This case suggests that the intracranial internal carotid arteries can potentially display similar mechanical sensitivity as the carotid sinus and questions the validity of electrocardiogram readings during this reflex, as the patient remained conscious while in asystole.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/cria/3336045
spellingShingle Abigail Peterson
Omar Hussain
Nathan Zwagerman
Harvey Woehlck
The Bezold–Jarisch Reflex Following an Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of an Intraosseous Clival Myxoma: A Case Report
Case Reports in Anesthesiology
title The Bezold–Jarisch Reflex Following an Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of an Intraosseous Clival Myxoma: A Case Report
title_full The Bezold–Jarisch Reflex Following an Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of an Intraosseous Clival Myxoma: A Case Report
title_fullStr The Bezold–Jarisch Reflex Following an Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of an Intraosseous Clival Myxoma: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed The Bezold–Jarisch Reflex Following an Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of an Intraosseous Clival Myxoma: A Case Report
title_short The Bezold–Jarisch Reflex Following an Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of an Intraosseous Clival Myxoma: A Case Report
title_sort bezold jarisch reflex following an endoscopic endonasal resection of an intraosseous clival myxoma a case report
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/cria/3336045
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