Precautionary Measures for Successful Open Heart Surgery in G6PD Deficient Patient- A Case Report

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is among the most common enzymatic disorders of red blood cells. Cardiac surgeries on this group of individuals are associated with an additional risk in terms of impaired oxygenation, prolonged ventilation and increased risk of haemolysis. These patients have a very low threshold for haemolysis due to oxidative stress. Many commonly used drugs also predispose the individual for haemolysis when they are subjected to surgery. Here we present a known case of G6PD deficient patient with symptoms of breathlessness for the last nine years who was taken for surgery with pre-planned precautionary measures to avoid unnecessary haemolysis. The echocardiography report revealed severe mixed mitral lesion and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. On general examination she had mild pallor and icterus. We planned for a thorough investigation to prepare her for mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty. These groups of patients are at high risk of haemolysis during perioperative period and need prolonged mechanical ventilation and hospital stay due to impaired oxygen carrying capacity and oxidative stress due to deficient free radical scavenging system. The patient underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty under cardiopulmonary bypass with precautionary measures to prevent the risk of haemolysis and associated complications. She had an uneventful recovery.