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Hip Hemiarthroplasty in Two Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis: Ethical Questions from an Anesthesiologist's
Julie R McSwain1, Jennifer R Matos, Brystol L Henderson
1From the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
Insights
Geriatric patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing noncardiac surgery face high risks. While anesthetic management varied, both patients died postoperatively due to comorbidities, highlighting the need for increased awareness and discussion.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Cardiology
- Anesthesiology
- Surgical Risk Assessment
Background:
- Increasing number of elderly patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
- Severe aortic stenosis poses significant risks in the perioperative setting for geriatric populations.
- Decision-making for surgery in these patients is complex and multifactorial.
Observation:
- Case report of two geriatric patients with severe aortic stenosis requiring hip surgery (one urgent, one elective).
- Employed distinct anesthetic strategies for each patient.
- Both patients remained hemodynamically stable during the intraoperative period.
Findings:
- Despite successful intraoperative management, both patients experienced postoperative mortality.
- Mortality was attributed to pre-existing comorbidities rather than surgical or anesthetic complications.
- The study highlights the challenges in managing geriatric patients with severe aortic stenosis.
Implications:
- Lack of specific published guidelines for managing geriatric patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
- This case series aims to raise awareness and stimulate discussion among clinicians.
- Emphasizes the critical role of managing comorbidities in the postoperative care of high-risk geriatric surgical patients.
Abstract:
As the population ages, geriatric patients with preexisting cardiac disease are presenting for noncardiac surgery in escalating numbers. The decision to proceed with surgery in such patients often is multifactorial. With this in mind, we describe 2 patients with severe aortic stenosis who required hip operations: one urgent and one elective. Both patients had different anesthetic plans and did well intraoperatively. However, both patients died postoperatively because of their comorbidities. Although published guidelines are sparse, we hope this report will increase awareness and discussion about caring for geriatric patients with severe aortic stenosis.
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