[Mitral valve replacement in a patient with Sheehan's syndrome]

Sheehan' syndrome is caused by pituitary apoplexy occurring during parturition and results in hypopituitarism, adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism. A 66-year-old woman with Sheehan's syndrome had received corticosteroids and thyroid hormones for about 18 years. The patient underwent mitral valve replacement for mitral regurgitation. Intraoperatively, just after the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, hypotension and severe edema suddenly occurred. Crystalloid fluid was rapidly administered to increase intravascular volumes. Postoperatively the body weight increased by 9.4 kg. The patient was intubated for 64 hours, stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 7 days and was discharged from hospital on the postoperative day 36. Careful perioperative hormone supplementation is necessary for patients with Sheehan's syndrome.