A&A practice
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We present the case of a primigravid patient, who developed cardiogenic shock during the early postpartum period in the setting of retained placenta, uterine atony, and hemorrhage. Focused cardiac ultrasound played a central role in identifying the cause of hemodynamic instability. The decision to initiate venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was instrumental in the successful outcome for our patient, characterized by a full recovery without major neurological and cardiovascular sequelae.
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Acute porphyria is a group of rare disorders in the biosynthesis pathway of heme that can result in severe neurovisceral attacks leading to morbidity and mortality. Perioperative complications have been largely prevented due to avoidance of precipitants and early treatment of symptoms. ⋯ This case illustrates a porphyria attack precipitated by prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass that manifested as postoperative delayed emergence, failure to wean from mechanical ventilation, autonomic insufficiency requiring significant vasoactive agents, and, ultimately, failure to thrive. The patient passed after withdrawal of care.
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Case Reports
Anesthesia Experience for Tonsillectomy in a Patient With Hypofibrinogenemia: A Case Report.
A 26-year-old male patient with hypofibrinogenemia was scheduled to undergo tonsillectomy. Hypofibrinogenemia, defined as low plasma fibrinogen (Fbg) concentration, is a type of congenital Fbg deficiency and is a rare coagulopathy. ⋯ In this case, failure to replenish Fbg during the postoperative period may have caused the postoperative hemorrhage. Considering the half-life of Fbg (3-4 days), the plasma Fbg concentration should be monitored for ≥6 postoperative days, aiming at a target level of 50 mg/dL during the postoperative period.
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Case Reports
Anesthetic Implications of a Patient With Kniest Dysplasia and Mitochondrial Disease: A Case Report.
Kniest dysplasia, or metatropic dysplasia type II, is a rare chondrodysplasia caused by abnormal type II collagen. Clinically, it is characterized by dwarfism, deafness, skeletal derangements, and ocular abnormalities. ⋯ We present the case of a 6-year-old boy with both Kniest dysplasia and underlying mitochondrial disease for examination under anesthesia before cataract surgery. Successful anesthetic management of a patient with Kniest dysplasia and a mitochondrial myopathy is discussed.
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Case Reports
Novel Single-Needle Approach for Retrocrural Celiac Plexus Blockade Using Fluoroscopic Guidance: A Case Report.
Celiac plexus neurolysis has been shown to be an effective analgesic option for patients with visceral pain related to intraabdominal malignancies. In the setting of significant tumor burden, the celiac plexus may be inaccessible, limiting the efficacy of the transcrural approach. This case report describes a novel single-needle approach to retrocrural celiac plexus blockade, allowing for rapid blockade with a needle trajectory contralateral to the aorta in a 73-year-old woman with altered anatomy secondary to advanced metastatic colorectal cancer.