Anaesthetic management of a parturient with the postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: a case report

Br J Anaesth. 2006 Aug;97(2):196-9. doi: 10.1093/bja/ael105. Epub 2006 May 12.

Abstract

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome encompasses a group of disorders characterized by orthostatic intolerance. We describe the anaesthetic management of analgesia for labour and of Caesarean section in a parturient suffering from this disorder. Worsening of her symptoms during pregnancy was managed with an increase in the dose of beta-blockers taken by the patient. Epidural analgesia was instigated early to attenuate the stress of labour and avoid consequent triggering of a tachycardic response. Slow titration of epidural analgesia and anaesthesia after an adequate fluid preload was undertaken to minimize hypotension and subsequent tachycardia. Neuraxial opioid, combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and bilateral iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerve blocks were used to optimize postoperative analgesia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesia, Epidural / methods
  • Anesthesia, Epidural / methods
  • Anesthesia, Obstetrical / methods*
  • Cesarean Section / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Obstetric Labor Complications / therapy
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / therapy*
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Syndrome
  • Tachycardia / physiopathology
  • Tachycardia / therapy*