Bone cement implantation syndrome (BCIS) is a poorly defined entity, responsible for significant perioperative morbidity and mortality (0.6–1%) [1] [2] in patients undergoing cemented hip arthroplasty. According to literature, it may include respiratory (hypoxia, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary edema and bronchospasm), hematologic (thrombocytopenia), cardiovascular (hypotension, arrhythmia and cardiac arrest) and neurologic dysfunction (loss of consciousness) [3]. The etiology and pathophysiology of BCIS are not fully established [1], although several mechanisms have been proposed such as toxic effect of systemically absorbed methyl methacrylate, fat and bone marrow embolism, use of high pressure during cementing, exothermic reaction, anaphylactic reaction, and release of endogenous mediators (histamine, complement activation, vasodilator cannabinoids) [4] [5]. In this article, we report a case of BCIS relating to a cemented hip arthroplasty, with catastrophic outcome, resulting in the death of the patient.

A 73-year-old woman was admitted into the emergency department after a mechanical fall, with a diagnosis of left femur neck fracture, and was proposed for total hip replacement. The fracture (Figure 1) occurred approximately eight hours before the surgery.

Aside from essential hypertension, the patient had no other comorbidities and was independent in her daily activities. The patient had good functional capacity with more than four metabolic equivalents in exercise testing, and there were no previous signs of important cardiorespiratory compromise.

Preoperative investigation, namely, renal function, ionogram, coagulation and hemogram were within normal limits as well as the electrocardiogram (ECG). On the day of the surgery, the patient was hemodynamically stable having peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) of 99% on room air. The patient was administered 1 mg of diazepam on the night before the surgery and also on the day of the surgery. Antihypertensive medication was stopped on the day of the surgery.

The patient was placed in right side decubitus after standard monitoring with oximetry, ECG and non-invasive arterial blood pressure, and Ringer's solution was administered.

Subarachnoid block was performed using a 25-gauge Whitacre needle in the L4-L5 interspace. Levobupivacaine 0.5% (8 mg) and 0.002 mg of sufentanil were injected after free flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Sensory analgesia up to T8-T10 dermatome was confirmed. Hemodynamic parameters remained stable following subarachnoid block.

Intravenous cefazolin (2 g) was administered for surgical infection prophylaxis and the surgery was started.

During the surgery the patient's hemodynamic parameters were stable with pulse rate varying between 64–82/min with sinus rhythm, systolic blood pressure between 108–122 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure between 68–85 mmHg, SpO₂ ≥ 98% (room air) and normal state of consciousness, until just before the bone cement placement.

Seconds after the placement of methyl methacrylate (bone cement) there was a sudden decrease of level of consciousness, from Glasgow Coma Scale 15–7, accompanied by hypotension (83/45 mmHg), sinus tachycardia (130 bpm) and desaturation (from 99% at 21% of oxygen to 82% with high flow of oxygen). Pulmonary auscultation was normal, intraoperatory ECG showed sinus tachycardia and arterial blood gas analysis showed metabolic acidosis and hypoxemia. The surgery was stopped immediately.

Orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation with 100% of oxygen was performed. Aggressive fluid therapy and bolus of ephedrine (total of 20 mg) were administered without consistent improvement and hence an intravenous infusion of norepinephrine (0.15 µg/kgmin^-1) was started with hemodynamic improvement that allowed the surgery to proceed.

The surgery lasted for 80 minutes (Figure 2). The patient's estimated blood loss was 250 mL, receiving a total of 2.5 L of crystalloids without the need of blood transfusion. At the end of the surgery the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU).

In the ICU, laboratory investigation, brain computed tomography, cervical Doppler, transcranial ultrasound and computed tomography pulmonary angiogram revealed no acute abnormalities.

Despite the support provided in the ICU, a progressive deterioration of the general status resulted in the patient's death 24 h after the surgery.

Hemodynamic effects of pulmonary emboli and sudden increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) associated with the use of cement has been described to be the key feature of BCIS [5]. Embolization usually results from pressurization of bone cavity (often > 300 mmHg) during cementing and prosthesis insertion, with release of vasoactive mediators in pulmonary circulation and increase of the PVR [1][2] [5].

Clinical deterioration which can occur within seconds to minutes of cement implantation [1] [5] is the result of right ventricular (RV) failure due to high PVR which leads to a reduced cardiac output. Acutely increased RV pressure promotes dilatation of RV which pushes the intraventricular septum to the left, leading to poor filling of left ventricle, reduction in cardiac output, systemic hypotension, decrease in coronary perfusion pressure resulting in ischemia and may result in cardiac arrest [1][2] [5]. It has also been proposed that emboli can reach cerebral circulation through patent foramen ovale or pulmonary, circulation which can be seen by transesophageal echocardiography and transcranial Doppler [5]. Embolization cannot explain all features of BCIS and other mechanisms can be involved, such as histamine release, complement activation and endogenous cannabinoid-mediated vasodilatation [2].

There are some high-risk patients and surgical criteria for developing of BCIS. In 2015, a guideline was published in order to reduce the risk from cemented arthroplasty for hip fracture [6]. Increased patient's age, higher grade of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical grade (III or IV), presence of significant cardiopulmonary disease, use of diuretics, male sex, presence of osteoporosis, malignant disease, revision surgery, surgery in uninstrumented femur, use of excessive pressure during cementing and use of long-stem prosthesis are some of the factors that may increase the risk of developing BCIS [6].

The risk should be minimized by a proper selection of patients, preoperative optimization, improving communication between anesthesiologist and surgeon, increasing the inspired oxygen concentration and avoiding intravascular volume depletion during cementing.

The management of BCIS is mostly supportive and includes use of 100% oxygen, fluids, vasopressors, pulmonary vasodilators, invasive monitoring, and intensive care [1] [3] [4][6].

In high-risk patients, the use of non-cemented prosthesis, use of short-stem prosthesis, low-viscosity cement, retrograde application of the cement, and avoidance of excessive pressure may be helpful strategies to reduce the risk of developing BCIS [6].

Hip fracture surgeries using cemented prosthesis are associated with approximately 20% more adverse cardiovascular events compared with non-cemented prosthesis[6] [7]. Nonetheless, the use of cemented prostheses for hip fracture surgery increases the likelihood of pain-free mobility after surgery [8], reduces the risk of re-operation and is associated with a lower mortality rate at 30 days [6].

There is no evidence that spinal anesthesia is better than general anesthesia and a retrospective analysis of a 65,535-patient national dataset did not find any significant difference in either a five-day or a 30-day postoperative mortality between general and spinal anesthesia [9]. In our case, we opted for single-shot spinal anesthesia, which is routinely performed as anesthetic technique for hip fracture in older patients, with a good outcome in the procedures conducted in our hospital.

The BCIS is a time-limited phenomenon, and high PVR usually normalizes within 24–48 hours. Healthy patients may recover quickly from the insult, while others with risk factors, can present with a tragic manifestation resulting in death. Nevertheless, there exist many cases of patients without risk factors who died in consequence of BCIS. Early and aggressive resuscitation as well as surgical operative modifications may be the key to the prevention of this catastrophic syndrome. We suggest that a cemented prosthesis should be avoided in patients who are at high risk of BCIS unless there are overriding orthopedic considerations, as well as it should be considered the use of cemented prostheses in view of their risk and benefits. The final decision should be made by a multidisciplinary team.

Bone cement implantation syndrome is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in orthopedic surgery. High index of suspicion and close monitoring is required at the time of cement insertion for early clinical diagnosis and outcome improvement. In selected patients, treatment with non-cemented prosthesis or a conservative approach of the fracture may reduce the mortality and so its potential risks and benefits compared with cemented arthroplasty should be pondered. This highlights the need for individualized medical team decision for each patient.

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