Cardiac arrest of vagal origin producing convulsive movements by cerebral ischemia. Sequence: loss of consciousness with ocular revulsion, extreme pallor, rigidity and then, after about 30 seconds, muscle relaxation and resumption of the heartbeats.

Anesthetic implications: 

avoid pain. Prophylactic atropinic premedication is probably useful.

References :

-         Desikan SR, Pyati S, Darvenisa B. 
Anesthesia for a child with reflex anoxic seizures. 
Anesth Analg 2005; 101: 301.

-         Onslow JM, Burden J.
Anaesthetic considerations for a child with reflex anoxic seizures. 
Pediatr Anesth 2003; 13: 552-3.

Updated: September 2019