Balancing carcinoid crisis and right ventricular dysfunction during tricuspid and pulmonic valve replacement for...

Carcinoid tumors are rare malignancies of neuroendocrine origin that can manifest with a constellation of systemic symptoms including right-sided cardiac involvement. Many patients with carcinoid heart disease require valve replacement, but intraoperative management of carcinoid syndrome varies within the literature.

A 72-year-old man with carcinoid syndrome underwent tricuspid and pulmonic valve replacement with multiple episodes of carcinoid crisis intraoperatively as well as right ventricular dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Octreotide is the mainstay in prevention and treatment of intraoperative carcinoid crisis, but reported dosages and timing varies significantly. The use of exogenous catecholamines is also controversial as they are thought to paradoxically worsen carcinoid symptoms. Our patient was managed successfully with both an octreotide infusion and intermittent boluses, as well as exogenous catecholamines for right ventricular support during and after cardiopulmonary bypass.

The management of carcinoid syndrome in patients undergoing valve surgery for carcinoid heart disease is dependent on timely prevention and treatment of carcinoid crisis and effective mitigation of right ventricular dysfunction.