Uncommon Complication for Commonly Used Drugs: Cardiac Arrest after Administration of Succinylcholine

Abstract

Succinylcholine is a depolarizing, muscle relaxant, that commonly used to facilitate endotracheal intubation, especially in emergency surgery or patient with difficult intubation. However succinylcholine is associated with severe hyperkalaemia, arrhythmia and cardiac arrest especially in severe burn and neuromuscular disease and renal failure. We report a case of young boy with underlying Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) presented for bleeding post tonsillectomy, who developed cardiac arrest following administration of succinylcholine. In this case report, we discuss regarding possible mechanism and treatment.