Case Report
 

By Dr. Teena Bansal , Dr. Sarla Hooda
Corresponding Author Dr. Teena Bansal
Dept. of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care, Pt. B.D.Sharma, PGIMS Rohtak, - India 124001
Submitting Author Dr. Teena Bansal
Other Authors Dr. Sarla Hooda
Deptt. of Anaesthesiology & Criticial carePt. B.D.Sharma PGIMS, - India

ANAESTHESIA

Anaesthetic management, Dilated cardiomyopathy, Non - cardiac surgery

Bansal T, Hooda S. Anaesthetic Management of an Elderly Patient with Dilated Cardiomyopathy Undergoing Surgery for Fracture of Trochanter. WebmedCentral ANAESTHESIA 2011;2(12):WMC002567
doi: 10.9754/journal.wmc.2011.002567
No
Submitted on: 03 Dec 2011 11:21:40 AM GMT
Published on: 05 Dec 2011 08:45:55 AM GMT

Abstract


The anaesthetic management of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) undergoing non cardiac surgery poses a challenge to the anaesthesiologist as DCM is commonly complicated by progressive congestive heart failure and malignant arrhythmias. The anaesthesiologist must have the knowledge of its haemodynamics, diagnostic evaluations and treatment modalities, more so regarding various drugs used during anaesthesia. We report a case of DCM with severe left ventricular dysfunction posted for surgery of fracture of trochanter managed successfully during anaesthesia.
Key Words: Anaesthetic management, Dilated cardiomyopathy, Non-cardiac surgery.

Introduction


Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a primary myocardial disease of unknown cause characterised by left ventricular or biventricular dilation, impaired myocardial contractility , decreased cardiac output and increased ventricular filling pressures(1).The prevalence is 920/100000. It may be ischemic or non ischemic. The ischemic type is related to atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. The non ischemic type may be secondary to infections, chemotheraputic agents, alcohol abuse or during the peripartum period. Consequently, patients with this underlying condition may present at any time for anaesthesia. It is essential that anaesthesiologist understand the underlying pathology to better manage these patients. The management of a patient with DCM undergoing noncardiac surgery is always a challenge to the anaesthesiologists as DCM is most commonly complicated by CHF (congestive heart failure) and malignant arrhythmias (the most common cause of death in DCM)(1). We here present a case of dilated cardiomyopathy posted for elective surgery of fracture of trochanter.

Case Report


A 70 year old male, weighing 70kg, with fracture of trochanter was scheduled for surgery. He was diagnosed to be having dilated cardiomyopathy during preanaesthetic checkup. There was no history of drug allergies. On general physical examination, there were no signs of heart failure like raised JVP (jugular venous pressure), ankle oedema and hepatomegaly. His blood pressure was 110/70 mmHg and pulse rate was 104/minute  with occasional  missed beats. On systemic examination, chest was clear bilaterally and heart sounds appeared normal with a pansystolic murmur in mitral area. He was edentulous with adepuate mouth opening and had normal neck and temporomandibular joint movements. Spine was normal.  Chest   X-ray showed cardiomegaly. ECG (electrocardiography) showed LBBB (left bundle branch block) with occasional ventricular ectopic beats. Echocardiography revealed LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) 35%, left ventricular hypokinesia with mild to moderate mitral regurgitation. He was put on tablet  carvedilol 3.125 mg OD , isosorbide nitrate 20mg BD, lasix 20 mg OD &losartan 25 mg OD by cardiologist.  Other investigations i.e. hemoglobin, bleeding time, clotting time, urine examination, blood urea, blood sugar and serum electrolytes were within normal limits.
Spinal anaesthesia was planned for the procedure. The anaesthetic procedure was explained to the patient and high risk written informed consent was obtained. He was premedicated with tablet ranitidine 150mg in the night and 2 hours before surgery. In the operating room, monitors were attached including BP (blood pressure), SpO2 (pulse oximetry) and ECG. His baseline blood pressure was 112/74mmHg, pulse 100/min with occasional missed beats and SpO2 was 99%. Intravenous line was secured with 18G cannula using ringer lactate. Heart rate, NIBP (non invasive blood pressure) and ECG were recorded throughout the procedure. After cleaning and draping, lumbar puncture was done with 23G quincke babcok needle at L3-L4 interspace. Clear CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) was obtained and 1.8 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 25 µg fentanyl was injected. Adequate sensory block was achieved upto T10. Patient was given oxygen through medium concentration mask at the rate of 5 L/ min. After 10 minutes systolic blood pressure dropped to 70 mmHg. Injection mephentermine 6 mg iv (intravenous) was given and simultaneously infusion of dopamine was started at the rate of 10µg/kg/ minute. BP rose to 106/68 mmHg. There were frequent episodes of ventricular ectopics for which patient was administered injection xylocard 60mg iv bolus and thereafter put on xylocard infusion. Surgery lasted for 1 hour. At the end of surgery, patient was conscious , pain free and comfortable. Postoperative blood pressure was 110/72 mmHg and pulse was 96/min without any missed beats. He was observed for 4 hours in post anaesthesia care unit where he remained  hemodynamically stable.

Discussion


Anaesthetic management of patients with cardiomyopathy with reduced systolic function is challenging and may be associated with high mortality(2). Two key factors exist in the management of  patients with cardiomyopathies: one is to improve systolic function and the other is to prevent sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias. To improve systolic function, patient should initially be managed medically with administration of diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Our patient was being managed with these drugs. Biventricular pacing, cardioplasty or cardiac transplant may also be required to improve cardiac function(3). Biventricular pacing and cardioplasty is beneficial for patients with severe cardiomyopathy in moderate to severe congestive heart failure with EFThe preoperative preparation of these patients must be meticulous as they have minimal or no cardiac reserves. Preoperatively patients tend to be dehydrated as they have been diuresed leading to hypotension during anaesthesia. But still preoperative hydration is not desirable as it may lead to   congestive heart failure. As patients may develope ventricular arrhythmias in the perioperative period, antiarrhythmic medications should be continued. Arrhythmias occur commonly  when potassium or magnesium levels are decreased. These electrolytes should be measured preoperatively and corrected as necessary. Oxygen carrying capacity should be adequate which is determined by cardiac output and haemoglobin. Therefore, Hb should be maintained at a higher level and 13-14gm/100ml has been recommended. To improve cardiac output , inotropes may be required(4). The goals of anaesthetic management are
1. Myocardial depression should be avoided.
2. Normovolemia should be maintained.
3. Avoid overdose of drugs during induction as the circulation time is slow.
4. Ventricular afterload should be avoided.
5. Avoid sudden hypotension when regional anaesthesia is the choice.
We used spinal anaesthesia as GA (general anaesthesia) carries a high risk because these patients may develope CHF or arrhythmias during intraoperative period(5). Also spinal anaesthesia has certain other advantages. It reduces bleeding, postoperative respiratory problems, deep vein thrombosis, CNS (central nervous system) complications, facilitates early ambulation, minimizes requirement of postoperative analgesia. In addition, spinal anaesthesia does not require instrumentation of the airway and patients maintain their airway and pulmonary function. Maintenance of consciousness during surgery permits prompt recognition of acute danges in cerebral function or the onset of angina pectoris. Hyperbaric bupivacaine was used in less amount (1.8ml) in our case as time of onset is decreased and spread is more extensive with hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia in elderly(6). Fentanyl was used as narcotics have minimal depressing effect on cardiac function. Intraoperative 500 ml of HES (hydroxyl ethyl starch) and 1000 ml of ringer lactate were given. Fall in blood pressure was corrected with injection mephentermine and infusion of dopamine. Over hydration may not be desirable as it may lead to congestive heart failure. Fluid management is critical. Therefore a vasopressor to mitigate against the vasodilating effect of the anaesthetics is a rational approach as we used mephentermine and dopamine in our case.  
Epidural anaesthesia produces changes in the preload and afterload that mimic pharmacological goals in the treatment of this disease(7). It is recommended that fluid therapy and pharmacological management be guided by the use of pulmonary artery catheterisation and the determination of cardiac filling pressures(8). Patient can also manifest life threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Anaesthesiologists should be prepared to use xylocard, amiodarone or defibrillation to treat arrhythmia. In addition to the basic monitoring (blood pressure, pulse oximetry, ECG and end tidal CO2), direct arterial blood pressure monitoring  may be more beneficial to identify abrupt hemodynamic changes(9).
Dopamine has positive inotropic, chronotropic and vasoconstrictive effects making it an ideal agent to negate the adverse cardiovascular effects of anaesthetics(10).
Another method of anaesthesia in these patients is with the help of nerve blocks. Nerve blocks could be a rational approach as they have minimal hemodynamic abrasion.
Indications of general anaesthesia in these patients with dilated cardiomyopathy is when higher block is required or spinal anaesthesia is contraindicated. Anaesthetics not only depress central nervous system function but also cardiac function. They tend to depress the myocardium, slow the heart rate and dilate the blood vessels. Anaesthetic management needs to be customized for those with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 45%. Therefore, selecting the type and dose of anaesthetics with minimal vasodilatation and myocardial depressing effect is prudent. Drugs like ketamine, etomidate and narcotics have minimal depressing effect on cardiac function and are used frequently. Conventional anaesthetics like propofol, thiopentone sodium or isoflurane in recommended doses depress cardiac function(4). Skeletal muscle paralysis is provided by non depolarising muscle relaxants that lack significant cardiovascular effects.
To conclude, the most important factors for management of these high risk patients include a thorough preoperative assessment, optimizing the cardiac status, proper anaesthetic plans, intraoperative and postoperative monitoring and prompt diagnosis and management of complications.

References


1. Dec GW, Fuster V. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med 1994; 331: 1564-75.
2. Tabib A, Chalabreysse L, Barel C. Sudden death during anaesthesia: human error, drug related or cardiac death. Therapie 2001; 56 (6): 735-8.
3. Nicoletti I, Tomei R, Zanotto G. The beneficial effect of biventricular pacing on ventricular tachycardia in a patient with non ischemic cardiomyopathy. International journal of cardiology 2008; 126 (2) 29-31.
4. Prashan HT, Thiagarajah S, Elizabeth AMF. Anaesthetic considerations in patients with cardiomyopathies. MEJ Anaesth 2009; 20 (3): 347-54.
5. Mishra S, Singhal AK, Bhatnagar S, Zuber K. Anaesthetic management of a case of dilated cardiomyopathy with permanent pacemaker undergoing modified radical mastectomy and pacemaker repositioning. The internet journal of anaesthesiology 2006; 11 (1).
6. Veering BT, Burm AG, Spierdijk J. Spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine, effects of age on neural blockade and pharmacokinetics. Anaesth analg 1987; 66: 589-93.
7. Stoelting RK, Dierdorf SF. Cardiomyopathy. In: Stoelting RK (Ed). Anaesthesia and coexisting disease (3rd ed). New York: Churchill Livingstone 1993; 97-102.
8. Christopher M bernards.  Epidural and spinal anaesthesia. In: Clinical anaesthesia, Lippincot Raven 3rd ed; 1996; 26: 665.
9. Schechter WS, Kim C, Martinez M. Anaesthetic induction in a child with end stage cardiomyopathy. Can J Anaesth 1995; 42: 404-8.
10. Hase K, Yoshioka H, Wachi Y. Anaesthetic management of 6 cases with dilated cardiomyopathy for non cardiac surgery. Masui 1996; 45 (6): 741-5.

Source(s) of Funding


No source of funding

Competing Interests


No competing intersts

Disclaimer


This article has been downloaded from WebmedCentral. With our unique author driven post publication peer review, contents posted on this web portal do not undergo any prepublication peer or editorial review. It is completely the responsibility of the authors to ensure not only scientific and ethical standards of the manuscript but also its grammatical accuracy. Authors must ensure that they obtain all the necessary permissions before submitting any information that requires obtaining a consent or approval from a third party. Authors should also ensure not to submit any information which they do not have the copyright of or of which they have transferred the copyrights to a third party.
Contents on WebmedCentral are purely for biomedical researchers and scientists. They are not meant to cater to the needs of an individual patient. The web portal or any content(s) therein is neither designed to support, nor replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. Your use of the WebmedCentral site and its contents is entirely at your own risk. We do not take any responsibility for any harm that you may suffer or inflict on a third person by following the contents of this website.

Reviews
2 reviews posted so far

spinal anaesthesia
Posted by Dr. Robert Scalea on 12 Apr 2012 03:22:18 PM GMT

Good management
Posted by Dr. Francesco Lauretta on 12 Apr 2012 03:07:06 PM GMT

Comments
1 comment posted so far

Interesting Posted by Dr. Gabriel Conca on 15 Apr 2012 01:27:37 PM GMT

Please use this functionality to flag objectionable, inappropriate, inaccurate, and offensive content to WebmedCentral Team and the authors.

 

Author Comments
0 comments posted so far

 

What is article Popularity?

Article popularity is calculated by considering the scores: age of the article
Popularity = (P - 1) / (T + 2)^1.5
Where
P : points is the sum of individual scores, which includes article Views, Downloads, Reviews, Comments and their weightage

Scores   Weightage
Views Points X 1
Download Points X 2
Comment Points X 5
Review Points X 10
Points= sum(Views Points + Download Points + Comment Points + Review Points)
T : time since submission in hours.
P is subtracted by 1 to negate submitter's vote.
Age factor is (time since submission in hours plus two) to the power of 1.5.factor.

How Article Quality Works?

For each article Authors/Readers, Reviewers and WMC Editors can review/rate the articles. These ratings are used to determine Feedback Scores.

In most cases, article receive ratings in the range of 0 to 10. We calculate average of all the ratings and consider it as article quality.

Quality=Average(Authors/Readers Ratings + Reviewers Ratings + WMC Editor Ratings)