Author Information
Patil YS*, Wajekar AS**, Garasia
MB***.
(* Associate Professor, ** Assistant
Professor, *** Professor and Head, Department of Anaesthesiology, Seth GS Medical
College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.)
Abstract
Eisenmenger's syndrome
is a cyanotic heart disease characterized by pulmonary hypertension with
reversed or bidirectional shunt associated with septal defects or patent ductus
arteriosus (PDA). Pregnancy associated decreased systemic vascular resistance
increases the degree of right to left shunting, thereby increasing
substantially both the maternal mortality and fetal wastage which is reported to be as high as 30–70%. We
present a case of a 20 year old primigravida with Eisenmenger's syndrome who
gave birth at 34 weeks of gestation via cesarean section to a live baby under
combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia. On the second post-operative day, the
patient had a fall in oxygen saturation despite supplemental oxygen, managed
conservatively. We describe the successful
anesthetic management for caesarean section and its complications in a
patient with Eisenmenger's syndrome.
Introduction
Eisenmenger’s syndrome
is characterised by pulmonary hypertension with reversed or bidirectional shunt
associated with septal defects or patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).[1] Pregnancy can worsen Eisenmenger’s syndrome due to fall in
systemic vascular resistance resulting in high maternal mortality and fetal
wastage ranging from 30 to 70%.[1,2] Generally an anesthesiologist comes into picture for
providing anesthesia for delivery of the fetus by vaginal or cesarean route.[3] We present the anesthesia management of elective cesarean
section in a patient with Eisenmenger’s syndrome.
Case Report
A 20 year old
unregistered primigravida, with 34 weeks of gestation, recently diagnosed with
Eisenmenger’s syndrome, on oral sildenafil and furosemide since one week,
presented for elective cesarean section in view of cephalopelvic disproportion.
Her pulse was 72/min, blood pressure 120/72 mm Hg with room air saturation 98%.
She had no cyanosis or clubbing. She had grade IV ejection systolic murmur at apex. Her haemoglobin was 12g% with
hematocrit of 32. Electrocardiogram revealed right ventricular hypertrophy.
Chest radiograph revealed cardiomegaly, prominent pulmonary conus and pulmonary
vascular congestion. All other routine investigations were normal.
Echocardiography revealed severe pulmonary artery hypertension (55-65 mm Hg),
mildly dilated and thickened right ventricle (RV), normal RV systolic function and
bidirectional shunt due to a large ventricular septal defect (VSD). Her
arterial blood gases were normal.
Preoperative aspiration
prophylaxis and infective endocarditis prophylaxis were given.
In the operating room,
difficult intubation cart with necessary cardiac drugs was kept ready. Standard
monitoring including electrocardiography, automated blood pressure, pulse
oximetry and endtidal CO2 was instituted. De-airing of all the lines
was done. Left radial artery and right internal jugular vein (IJV) were
cannulated for invasive monitoring. Her central venous pressure (CVP) was 4-6
cm of water. The patient was preloaded with 300 ml Ringer’s lactate. Epidural
and spinal anesthesia were performed in the L2-3 and L3-4 space respectively in
sitting position. 25 mcg fentanyl was given intrathecally. Then she was made
supine. Left uterine displacement was maintained throughout the perioperative
period. T6 level of anesthesia was achieved using a titrated dose of 2%
lignocaine in incremental doses over 20 minutes (Total 12 ml) with steady
hemodynamic monitoring. There was a fall in systolic pressure up to 80 mm of Hg
once, treated with phenylephrine 50 mcg. Oxygenation was instituted with
face mask at 5 l/min.
A male child of 2 kg
with good Apgar scores was delivered. Oxytocin infusion was started.
Intraoperative period was uneventful. Total 1000 ml Ringer's lactate was administered
intraoperatively to maintain a CVP of 6-8 cm of water. She had an episode of
desaturation (SPO2 92%) on day 2 postoperatively which was treated with
oxygenation, nebulizations and antibiotics. Furosemide and sildenafil were
continued. Postoperative epidural analgesia with tramadol was continued. She
was shifted to ward on day 7 and discharged after 15 days.
Discussion
Conception is
discouraged or early termination of pregnancy is advised in patients with
Eisenmenger’s syndrome since the fall in systemic vascular resistance seen in
pregnancy can worsen Eisenmengerization with a very high rate of mortality
reaching 30-70%.[1] Maternal mortality is higher when associated with VSD in
such patients as compared to atrial septal defects or PDA.[3] In spite of this, there are a few case reports of successful
maternal and fetal outcomes. Sildenafil therapy produces better maternal
outcome.[4]
Meticulous de-airing of
all the lines for prevention of paradoxical air embolism is of utmost
importance. There exists a risk of introducing infection or air during IJV line
catheterisation. But fluid therapy guided by CVP is essential in prevention of
right heart failure. Infective endocarditis prophylaxis has been advised in all
patients of cyanotic heart diseases.[5]
The choice of
anaesthesia either regional or general is guided by current pathophysiology,
severity of disease, maintenance of haemodynamics, thromboprophylaxis and
postoperative analgesia. Our aim was prevention of fall in SVR to avoid
increase in right to left shunt.
Intermittent positive
pressure ventilation can increase the PVR due to increase in intrathoracic
pressure and resultant fall in venous return.[1] Also the risk of failed intubation, aspiration and
postoperative hypoxia is increased with general anesthesia. Single shot spinal
anesthesia can produce a precipitous fall in blood pressure. Intrathecal
administration of an opioid like morphine or fentanyl is not associated with
hypotension.[6] Titrated epidural anesthesia prevents hypotension. But only
epidural anesthesia produces segmental action and may provide inadequate
anesthesia with need to convert into general anesthesia. In this scenario,
combination of intrathecal opioid and titrated epidural local anaesthetics
helps to increase the safety and reliability of the neuraxial block. Also,
postoperative epidural analgesia helps to reduce pulmonary hypertension. Early
postoperative mobilization also helps to reduce other complications.
Polycythemia can be
common in these patients secondary to chronic hypoxia.[3] Our patient did not have any signs of hypoxia and
polycythemia. This can be attributed to the bidirectional nature of the shunt
and sildenafil. Hence thrombo-prophylaxis was not essential making neuraxial
anaesthesia an attractive choice.
Oxytocin was used as
slow infusion as a bolus dose can cause precipitous fall in SVR.
Postoperative cardiac
complications can be common from day 2 up to day 30.[1] Our patient had desaturation on day 2 which was managed
conservatively.
We conclude that
carefully titrated combined spinal epidural anesthesia is safe,
appropriate and effective for patients
with Eisenmenger's syndrome for cesarean section.
References
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- Wilson W, Taubert KA, Gewitz M, Lockhart PB, Baddour LM, Levison M, et al. Prevention of infective endocarditis: guidelines from the American Heart Association: a guideline from the American Heart Association Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, and the Co. Circulation [Internet] 2007 [cited 2015 Feb 20];116(15):1736–54. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17446442
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Citation
Patil YS, Wajekar AS, Garasia
MB. Anaesthesia Management In A Patient Of Eisenmenger’s Syndrome For Caesarean
Section. JPGO 2015. Volume 2 No. 6. Available from: http://www.jpgo.org/2015/06/anesthesia-management-in-patient-of.html