Cardiovascular Collapse Associated With Irreversible Cardiomyopathy, Chronic Renal Failure, and Hypertension During Routine Dental Care

Patients with multiple comorbid conditions visit the dental office every day, and although rare, complications from their conditions may occur during treatment. A case is presented of a 65-year-old African American woman with a history of severe cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and a reported local anesthetic allergy who experienced complete cardiovascular collapse during routine dental treatment from which she was successfully resuscitated. Treating clinicians should recognize the emerging symptoms and be proficient with a basic and advanced cardiac life support protocol to care for their patients safely and effectively until they can be transported to more advanced care facilities.