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Published on: June 14, 2016
[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]
Naritoshi Maki1, Tomoaki Shimizu, Chie Nishiyama
1Department of Anesthesiology, Osaka Police Hospital, Osaka 543-0035.
Insights
This case study highlights managing a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and low ejection fraction undergoing sigmoid cancer surgery. Careful anesthetic and inotropic support were crucial for successful surgical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Anesthesiology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- A 68-year-old female patient presented with severe cardiac dysfunction (ejection fraction 16%) secondary to dilated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- The patient was scheduled for high anterior resection due to sigmoid cancer, posing significant anesthetic challenges.
Observation:
- Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed a further drop in ejection fraction to 9% after anesthesia induction.
- Hemodynamic management involved epidural analgesia, dobutamine infusion, and judicious use of phenylephrine and landiolol.
Findings:
- The surgical procedure and anesthesia were completed without immediate major complications.
- Postoperative day 2 showed worsening congestive heart failure, necessitating increased dobutamine and milrinone administration.
Implications:
- This case underscores the complex perioperative management required for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing major surgery.
- Optimizing inotropic support and hemodynamic stability is critical for improving outcomes in high-risk surgical patients with cardiomyopathy.
Abstract:
A 68-year-old woman with severe cardiac dysfunction due to dilated phase of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed with sigmoid cancer and scheduled for high anterior resection. Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was 16% by transthoracic echocardiography. After placement of an epidural catheter at the T12-L1 interspace, and artery catheters in the left radial artery for invasive blood pressure monitoring and in the right femoral artery for stand-by IABE general anesthesia was induced by midazolam, fentanyl and sevoflurane, and maintained with sevoflurane. Analgesia was obtained by epidural administration of 1% lidocaine and 0.2% ropivacaine. A central venous catheter was placed in the right internal jugular vein through which dobutamine was infused throughout the operation. Cardiac function monitored by transesophageal echocardiography showed EF of 9% just after insertion. After arbitrary administration of phenylephrine and landiolol, the operation and anesthesia were completed without serious problems. However, congestive heart failure worsened on postoperative day 2, and was improved by increasing dobutamine and by administration of milrinone.
Related Concept Videos
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

