Locked-in Syndrome and Blue Toe Syndrome Caused by Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Abstract

Severe inflammation after cardiopulmonary bypass with the vasculitis of the acral extremity and vertebro-basilar arterial system leads to the locked-in syndrome and blue toe syndrome. In broad terms, systemic, idiopathic, and environmental factors provoke syndromes that present with digital discoloration or the blue toe syndrome. Painful digital discoloration, accompanied by ulceration, suggests vasculitis, involving small blood vessels. Definitive diagnosis usually requires histological documentation because vasculitic syndromes have no pathognomonic clinical features or laboratory test results.
The case introduced herein is that of a woman who developed the locked-in syndrome in conjunction with quadriplegia, loss of facial movement, speech loss, and loss of horizontal eye movements. She had initially presented with severe mitral stenosis and left atrial clot and undergone mitral valve replacement and clot extraction. The patient expired from multiple organ failure despite prolonged ventilatory support, including tracheotomy, and meticulous nursing care and antibiotic prophylaxis. Given the previously reported partial recovery from this syndrome with the use of steroids, we would advocate the use of such pharmacological agents.