Carotid body tumor surgery is associated with various complications. However, intraoperative cardiac arrest is very rare and no more than 10 cases have been reported.
A 58-year-old woman diagnosed with bilateral carotid body tumors underwent right carotid body tumor surgery. Sudden cardiac arrest occurred during the resection and was attributed to carotid sinus hypersensitivity. The patient recovered after prompt treatment and the tumor was removed completely with no complications.
Cardiac arrest attributed to carotid sinus hypersensitivity during carotid body tumor resection is very rare. Proper treatments can reverse intraoperative cardiac arrest. If carotid sinus hypersensitivity is detected preoperatively, prophylactic temporary pacemaker implantation may be appropriate.