A & A case reports
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Seizure-like behavior is an uncommon yet worrisome phenomenon during anesthesia with propofol. The current case report describes a 23-year-old man admitted for elective surgery who experienced several seizure-like episodes after induction with propofol and during a desflurane-based general anesthetic that were so severe it was not possible to complete the procedure. A second surgery was rescheduled 2 days later with simultaneous scalp electroencephalographic (EEG) recording and general anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl. ⋯ This is the first report of apparent seizure-like activity during anesthesia with propofol of an otherwise relatively healthy adult, in which concurrent EEG recording demonstrates the nonepileptic nature. The current case demonstrates that, at least in some instances, these concerning movements are not seizure related. Concurrent EEG monitoring may be helpful to evaluate the nature of the episodes in select cases.
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In this case report, we describe the use of the Draeger Apollo anesthesia machine to deliver bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) to a patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a history of lung resection undergoing frontal craniotomy for the removal of a brain tumor under moderate to deep sedation. BiPAP in the perioperative period has been described for purposes of preoxygenation and postextubation recruitment. ⋯ We describe the intraoperative use of pressure support mode on the anesthesia machine to deliver noninvasive positive pressure ventilation through a standard anesthesia mask. Given its ease of access and effectiveness, it is our belief that intraoperative BiPAP may reduce hypoxemia and/or hypercarbia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea undergoing moderate to deep sedation.
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A 70-year-old man was scheduled for open reduction and internal fixation of his right knee fracture. When the tourniquet was deflated after 150 minutes, his arterial blood pressure and heart rate decreased precipitously. The patient was deemed to exhibit pulseless electrical activity. ⋯ Transesophageal echocardiography showed a pulmonary embolism. Feedback from echo imaging improved the quality of chest compressions and motivated the resuscitation team to maintain the diastolic blood pressure>25 mm Hg. Although capnographic guidance was ineffective by itself, echocardiography monitoring was very helpful for showing the intracardiac events.
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Every year, especially in the cooler Fall and Winter months, hundreds of people die because of carbon monoxide poisoning. This occurs usually as an accident. It is a significant cause of poisoning worldwide. We present a case of compartment syndrome in both lower extremities with accompanying acute renal failure and systemic capillary leakage syndrome because of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Case Reports
Peripartum Anesthetic Management and Genomic Analysis of Rare Variants in a Patient with Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis.
A 29-year-old patient, 32 weeks' pregnant, with a history of familial interstitial fibrosis, was treated for acute hypoxemia after admission to the intensive care unit. Within 48 hours, this was followed by an emergent cesarean delivery, under general anesthesia, due to acute respiratory failure. Successful perinatal obstetric and anesthetic management resulted in the delivery of a baby and recovery of the mother. Subsequent genomic analysis using next-generation sequencing of the patient's entire exome revealed that she was a carrier of a deleterious mutation in the TERT gene, previously associated with the hereditary forms of interstitial fibrosis.