Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 1998
Case ReportsCardiac arrest associated with sulprostone use during caesarean section.
Sulprostone, a synthetic prostaglandin with potent uterotonic action, has been shown to have a low complication rate in a large series. We present a case in which a bolus intravenous injection of sulprostone 30 micrograms was administered to treat postpartum haemorrhage during caesarean section. ⋯ Post resuscitation there was no myocardial infarction and she had complete neurological recovery. We postulate that the bolus of sulprostone resulted in possible coronary spasm that resulted in cardiac arrest.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 1998
Case ReportsCentral regional anaesthesia in a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.
A 27-year-old female with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome presented for reconstructive surgery of the deep venous system of the right leg. Contrast enhanced dynamic computed tomography was performed to exclude the presence of arteriovenous malformation of the lumbosacral spine. A combined spinal-epidural technique supplemented with light general anaesthesia was performed. The patient's condition was stable throughout the three hours of surgery and postoperative analgesia was maintained successfully for three days.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 1998
Case ReportsRhabdomyolysis following severe physical exercise in a patient with predisposition to malignant hyperthermia.
A 21-year-old man suffered from exertional heat stroke with impaired consciousness and rhabdomyolysis after strenuous physical exercise. Within two weeks the patient recovered completely without any specific therapy. ⋯ An in vitro contracture test was performed and a predisposition to malignant hyperthermia was diagnosed; other muscular diseases were excluded by histological examination. At present, the in vitro contracture test is the only method used to determine susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia and should be performed when the diagnosis is suggested on clinical grounds.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 1998
Case ReportsRecurrent acute upper airway obstruction after anterior cervical fusion.
A 67-year-old man presented with cervical myelopathy for which a C3/4 discectomy and anterior fusion was performed. Recurrent episodes of acute upper airway obstruction necessitated laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Drainage of a prevertebral collection of CSF and surgical repair of a dural tear corrected the obstructive symptoms. Management of the difficult airway is discussed.