A & A case reports
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Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a life-threatening biochemical process of hypermetabolism brought about in susceptible individuals by a triggering drug or event. Type A aortic dissections are surgical emergencies requiring cardiopulmonary bypass and frequently deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. ⋯ However, no known triggering agent had been administered. Eventually, the unique physiologic changes of cardiopulmonary bypass provided strong support for the diagnosis of MH and dantrolene was administered, effectively treating the episode.
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In some cases of cerebral aneurysm clipping, direct clip application to the aneurysm neck may be difficult or the aneurysm may rupture unexpectedly. In these cases, a clip may be temporarily applied to the parent artery to reduce aneurysmal wall tension, facilitate permanent clip placement, or control bleeding if the aneurysm ruptures. ⋯ We present a case in which the aneurysm ruptured and IV administration of adenosine was required to facilitate clipping. This case suggests that administering multiple consecutive precalculated doses of adenosine may be a safe method to manage aneurysmal rupture.
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A 72-year-old woman with antiphospholipid syndrome underwent aortic valve replacement. Her preoperative activated partial thromboplastin time was 61.7 seconds and activated clotting time was 219 seconds. ⋯ We applied rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) to diagnose residual heparin using the INTEM/HEPTEM clotting time ratio. The HMS and ROTEM are useful for heparin-protamine control in antiphospholipid syndrome.
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Jeune syndrome is a rare autosomal-recessive skeletal disorder. Anesthetic management of these patients is often difficult because of thoracic and lung hypoplasia. ⋯ The continuous positive airway pressure should have been titrated to effective tidal volume during preoxygenation to recruit the patient's functional residual capacity and to prevent desaturation. During tracheotomy, volume-controlled ventilation with a high respiratory rate and sufficient inspiratory time effectively improved the patient's respiratory status.
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Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare and often fatal complication that occurs in the peripartum period. We present a patient with an AFE who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation and cardiovascular collapse who may have benefitted from intravascular lipid emulsion rescue. This is the first published case in which lipid emulsion was a part of the successful treatment of AFE.