[Tranylcypromine and general anesthesia. Description of a clinical case]

The Authors report a collapsial reaction during general anaesthesia for total hip replacement in a patient treated with tranylcipromine, an inhibitor of MAO, as antidepressant agent. She had discontinued drug intake eight days before. Nevertheless a serious collapsial reaction appeared in association with general anaesthesia. It would be suitable, in their opinion, to stop antidepressant therapy with tranylcipromine at least three weeks (like with other IMAO) before general anaesthesia.