Unexpected ST segment changes in children: a case report

Summary In children, myocardial ischemic changes during anesthesia are a rare event unless there is underlying pathology. The patient in this case report was an apparently healthy child scheduled for adenoidectomy and bilateral tympanostomy. Occurrence of significant ST changes as well as intraoperative and postoperative hypoxemia required further diagnostic work-up. Postoperative echocardiographic findings were suspicious of intrapulmonary right to left shunting. The pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is probably the major pathophysiological factor for the development of hypoxemia and paradoxical air embolism especially during positive pressure ventilation in our patient. Unexpected ST segment changes might also occur in patients with anomalous origin of coronary arteries. Although diagnostic work-up was inconclusive, it is necessary to rule out any underlying pathological process. Further follow-up is also important in order to learn more about these disease states that often have subclinical, but potentially fatal presentation.