Vasopressin infusion during combine spinal epidural anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with severe mitral stenosis with pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Presence of mitral stenosis deteriorates the already compromised cardiac status of a pregnant female. Decision between regional and general anesthesia can be crucial in such cases. Our patient a 20-year-old, and primigravida scheduled for emergency cesarean section due to acute fetal distress was a diagnosed case of severe mitral stenosis and pulmonary hypertension (48 mmHg). During antenatal she was on anticoagulants and was monitored regularly. In the operation theater she was monitored for heart rate, invasive blood pressure, central venous pressure, SpO2 and urine output. We gave combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) at L3–4, using 7.5 mg 0.5% bupivacaine with 8% dextrose. Immediately after CSEA a continuous vasopressin infusion at 2–4 units/h was started, which took care of hypotension and pulmonary hypertension and it was stopped at the end of the surgery. The patient was stable hemodynamically intra and postoperatively. A baby of 2.2 kg was delivered with an APGAR score 7, 8, 9.

Keywords

• Cesarean section
• Mitral valve stenosis
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Spinal anesthesia
• Vasopressin