A&A practice
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Epicardial pacing wires are routinely used to avoid hemodynamic instability due to perioperative arrhythmias after cardiac surgery. In rare cases, pacing wires themselves can be associated with potentially life-threatening complications. Herein, we present a novel case of hemorrhagic shock and hemoperitoneum after temporary epicardial pacing wire removal.
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Malignant hyperthermia and thyroid storm are intraoperative emergencies with overlapping symptoms but different treatment protocols. We faced this diagnostic dilemma in a 25-year-old patient with symptomatic hyperthyroidism, elevated free T3 and free T4, and low thyroid-stimulating hormone from Graves disease despite treatment with propranolol 80 mg daily and methimazole 40 mg every 8 hours. During thyroidectomy, he developed hyperthermia and hypercarbia without tachycardia. When the rate of rise of PaCO2 and temperature accelerated, we treated the patient for malignant hyperthermia, a diagnosis subsequently confirmed by genetic testing.
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Dying adolescents presenting for palliative procedures have complicated developmental and ethical issues, especially when reconsidering do-not-resuscitate orders. Though the American Academy of Pediatrics has guidelines, there is limited information in the literature on how to take care of these patients. ⋯ The patient's goals of treatment were elucidated through a comprehensive care team consisting of the procedural and oncology teams. Effective communication with the patient and family was paramount for success.
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Severe upper airway obstruction is commonly managed with surgical tracheostomy under local anesthesia. We present a 49-year-old woman with postradiotherapy laryngeal fixation and transglottic stenosis for dilation of a pharyngeal stricture who refused elective tracheostomy. A 2-stage technique was used, which involved an awake fiberoptic intubation, followed by the transtracheal insertion of a Cricath needle and ventilation using an ejector-based Ventrain device. We discuss management aspects of this clinical scenario and the principles by which the Ventrain works.