[Anesthetic management for patients with mitochondrial disease]

Mitochondrial diseases are caused by a decrease in ATP production due to mutations of mitochondrial or mitochondria-related nuclear DNA. Their effects are likely to appear in tissues with a high energy demand, including skeletal muscle, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Cardiac manifestations of mitochondrial diseases can be divided into cardiomyopathies, which are primarily hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies, and electropathies, which are primarily conduction system disease and ventricular pre-excitation. The first principle of anesthesia for patients with mitochondrial diseases is to avoid any additional burden on the already declined metabolic functions. Appropriate oxygenation, minimization of the oxygen demand, stable cardiovascular management, maintenance of a normal blood glucose level and body temperature, and effective perioperative pain control are of importance. Most anesthetics have been reported to reduce mitochondrial functions, and although enhancement of the sensitivity and prolongation of the duration of action have been reported, they are clinically used with no major problems. Detailed preoperative evaluation of the disease condition and careful intraoperative monitoring are important for the prevention of perioperative complications.