Eisenmenger's Syndrome in Pregnancy: Use of Proseal® Laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) and Epidural Analgesia for Elective Cesarean Section

We describe the successful anesthetic management of cesarean section in a patient with Eisenmenger's syndrome secondary to an atrial septal defect. Although conception is discouraged in women with Eisenmenger's syndrome, in inevitable circumstances, careful and meticulous planning of anesthesia can help the parturient survive the ordeal of a cesarean section. The cardiac output must be maintained and systemic vascular resistance must not be allowed to fall. This should ensure that there is minimal change in the right to left shunt. In our patient, the scenario of Eisenmenger's syndrome was complicated by biventricular hypertrophy. We achieved the goals in our patient by using general anesthesia with the Prosea® laryngeal mask airway, a combination of ketamine and propofol, and epidural analgesia.

KEY WORDS:  analgesia, epidural , anesthesia , Eisenmenger complex , laryngeal masks, Proseal®

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