International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Nov 2020
Case ReportsPlatypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome: an unusual cause of breathlessness in late pregnancy.
A pregnant patient with shortness of breath and arterial oxygen desaturation is presented. The primary and tentative initial diagnosis was pulmonary embolism. ⋯ Shunting was minimal in the supine and maximal in the upright position, leading to the diagnosis of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. By two weeks postpartum the patient's symptoms had resolved and shunting was undetectable.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Nov 2020
Case ReportsCesarean delivery in a parturient with a left ventricular assist device.
Left ventricular assist devices are implanted pumps designed to treat patients with heart failure, and in some cases, to be a bridge to transplantation for patients who qualify. The preconception presence of a left ventricular assist device is a relative contraindication to pregnancy. ⋯ Her medical history was significant for the presence of a left ventricular assist device, inserted due to heart failure associated with polysubstance abuse. To our knowledge, this is the first description of successful cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia of a parturient with a left ventricular assist device.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Nov 2020
Case ReportsTonic-clonic seizure after unrecognized unintentional dural puncture.
Patients who suffer an unintentional dural puncture have a high risk of developing a post-dural puncture headache. Other neurologic complications have been reported, but seizure is rarely seen. ⋯ Two epidural blood patches, performed by neuroradiologists, were needed before the patient experienced complete resolution of her headache. During the re-admission, she also experienced a pulmonary embolus which further lengthened her hospital stay.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Nov 2020
Letter Case ReportsMassive uvular edema in a parturient after general anesthesia.