[Paracervical block for dilatation and curettage in a parturient with Eisenmenger's syndrome]

Abstract

Eisenmenger's syndrome is defined as the process in which a left-to-right shunt due to an atrial (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD) in the heart causes increased pulmonary blood flow, leading to pulmonary hypertension, which in turn, ultimately results in increased pressure in the right side of the heart and reversal of the shunt to right-to-left. Therefore, anesthetic management of Eisenmenger's syndrome is often difficult. We described a case of paracervical block for dilatation and curettage in a parturient with Eisenmenger's syndrome in this report. A 29-year-old woman with Eisenmenger's syndrome due to ASD became pregnant. She had dyspnea, cyanosis, and clubbed fingers. Her activity of daily life was in a wheel chair, and she was evaluated as New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV. Her oxygen saturation by pulse oxymeter (Sp(O2)) showed 78-82% in room air. Dilatation and curettage was scheduled in the sixth week of her pregnancy. We performed paracervical block in the direction of 4 and 8 o'clock using 1% lidocaine 12 ml under 6 l x (min(-1) oxygen inhalation through a face mask. Seven minutes after the beginning of the operation, Sp(O2) temporarily decreased to 77% due to abdominal pain by surgical procedures. The operation was finished within 8 minutes. She had no adverse events postoperatively. The anesthetic goal for Eisenmenger's syndrome is to avoid hemodynamic changes that can worsen hypoxemia through an increase in right-to-left shunt. Paracervical block is safe and effective conduction anesthesia for dilatation and curettage in a parturient with Eisenmenger's syndrome.