Baroreflex Failure After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Case Report.

CASE: A 58-year-old man underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Immediately after surgery, the patient experienced elevated blood pressure with a fall in oxygen saturation which prevented extubation. He required admission to the critical care unit and was diagnosed with baroreflex failure syndrome (BFS). He was managed with a 4-drug medical regimen and stabilized by the second postoperative day. CONCLUSION: BFS should be considered in the setting of sudden sharp elevation in blood pressure after ACDF. Early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate pharmacotherapy may reduce patient morbidity and mortality.