[Unexpected cardiac arrest during combined spinal-epidural analgesia].

A 58-year old man who had combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia for a total knee alloplasty suffered a sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest during an otherwise uncomplicated anaesthesia. The patient was promptly resuscitated by ephedrine i.v. The reason for the cardiac arrest is thought to be relative hypovolaemia. The importance of monitoring the patient, giving proper fluid-treatment and early use of ephedrine is emphasized.