A&A practice
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Physiologic changes of pregnancy are poorly tolerated in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and peripartum maternal mortality is high. We present a case of a 31-year-old G3P0020 patient at 35 weeks' gestation with severe World Health Organization group I PAH who underwent cesarean delivery followed by percutaneous right ventricular assist device placement. Risks and benefits of the mode of delivery, neuraxial versus general anesthesia, and mechanical circulatory support are reviewed.
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Case Reports
Delayed Nonimmune Anaphylaxis Caused by Ropivacaine for Preoperative Nerve Blocks: A Case Report.
Ropivacaine is an amide local anesthetic with rare reports of anaphylaxis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of delayed nonimmune anaphylaxis induced by ropivacaine. ⋯ A basophil activation test (BAT) revealed ropivacaine as the causative agent. Notably, anaphylaxis can be caused by medications even hours after their administration, and all administered drugs should be suspected of potentially causing anaphylaxis.
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Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening, systemic, hypersensitivity reaction, manifested by urticaria, hypotension, and respiratory symptoms. Antigens that are cleared renally may have protracted exposure in patients with impaired renal function, resulting in prolonged and refractory anaphylactic shock. ⋯ The patient was treated with continuous, short-term, veno-venous hemodiafiltration. Initiating this therapy in patients with refractory anaphylactic shock and anuria due to an antigen that is excreted renally can expedite recovery.
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Case Reports
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome and Eclampsia in the Setting of Magnesium Toxicity: A Case Report.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neurologic condition and a feared complication of eclampsia. It is evidenced by acute neurologic dysfunction secondary to cerebral edema and is typically reversible in nature. ⋯ We present a case wherein a 24-year-old parturient developed PRES and eclampsia in the setting of symptomatic hypermagnesemia, requiring management with lorazepam after seizures developed. Here we detail her clinical course, including the unique challenges of treating eclampsia and PRES in the setting of magnesium toxicity.
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Case Reports
Tranexamic Acid in Cardiac Surgery: A Case Report of an Infrequent Adverse Reaction to a Common Medication.
Life-threatening anaphylaxis to tranexamic acid (TXA) is rare but critical in cardiac surgery. A 76-year-old patient undergoing elective ascending aorta replacement developed severe anaphylactic shock shortly after anesthesia induction. ⋯ Guided by rotational thromboelastometry, hemostatic therapy led to a successful outcome with minimal postoperative bleeding. This report emphasizes the importance of drug risk awareness and strategies to mitigate excessive bleeding in cardiac surgery.