A & A case reports
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This article describes 2 patients with severe acute right ventricular failure causing circulatory shock. Portal vein pulsatility assessed by bedside ultrasonography suggested clinically relevant venous congestion. Management included cardiac preload reduction and combined inhalation of milrinone and epoprostenol to reduce right ventricular afterload. Portal vein ultrasonography may be useful in assessing right ventricular function in the acutely ill patient.
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Not all postpartum headaches are caused by dural puncture, and it is possible for postpartum patients to have >1 cause for headache. After neuraxial block with an incidental large-gauge dural puncture, our patient developed a severe, classic postdural puncture headache which initially responded to an epidural blood patch. ⋯ Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enlarged pituitary gland with a possible hemorrhagic focus; all endocrine parameters were normal. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with lymphocytic adenohypophysitis, an autoimmune inflammation of the anterior pituitary gland.
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We documented brachial plexus injury by electromyography and magnetic resonance imaging secondary to needle sticks for central line insertion. This type of complication is rare in the literature, as few case reports exist. Brachial plexus injury can happen because of anatomic variations. ⋯ Pain that emerges in the ipsilateral arm after subclavian catheter placement should be taken into serious consideration. It is important to identify the cause of pain as soon as possible so that the correct treatment can be efficiently provided. Use of an ultrasound-guided catheterization may be a better choice for preventing complications.