Anesthetic Management of a Patient with Severe Diastolic Dysfunction for Umbilical Hernia Repair: A Case Report

Research has shown that 1 out of 3 people aged 55 or older will develop heart failure, which is often a fatal prognosis. Investigations have demonstrated that 35% of heart failure patients will succumb to their condition within 5 years of onset. Worldwide, it is estimated that 23 million people are living with and suffering from symptoms associated with heart failure. Heart failure can result from various sequences of events, and ultimately effect either the systolic or diastolic function of the cardiovascular system. Depending upon which condition is present, anesthesia providers must take into consideration the risk factors associated with heart failure and undergoing anesthesia for various surgical procedures. This case report will examine the anesthetic management of a patient with a known diagnosis of severe left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, with acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure, who presented to the emergency room with an incarcerated umbilical hernia.