Acute fatal haemorrhage during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy

Abstract
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is associated with a number of life‐threatening complications. We present a case of massive and fatal arterial haemorrhage that occurred in the intensive care unit during an elective PDT on an 86‐year‐old woman following earlier evacuation of a traumatic subdural haematoma. An avulsed right subclavian artery was found at post mortem. Previous thyroid surgery and aberrant arterial anatomy contributed to the fatal outcome. Br J Anaesth 2003; 90: 517–20