Anaesthesia for Caesarean Section in a Patient with Eisenmenger's Syndrome

R Kandasamy, KF Koh, SL Tham, S Reddy
Correspondence: Dr R Kandasamy

ABSTRACT
Eisenmenger's syndrome was originally described in 1897 and redefined by Wood in 1958. This syndrome includes pulmonary hypertension with reversed or bi-directional shunt associated with septal defects or a patent ductus arteriosus. A 27-year-old G2 PO with Eisenmenger's syndrome presented to the hospital for management at 17 weeks of pregnancy. She was advised termination of pregnancy but she refused. An elective caesarean section was performed successfully under general anaesthesia uneventfully at 29 weeks due to severe intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Patient's postoperative complications like pulmonary thromboembolism, the advantages and disadvantages of anticoagulation are discussed. Pregnancy carries substantial maternal and fetal risk for patients with pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger's syndrome. Although pregnancy should be discouraged in women with Eisenmenger's syndrome it can be successful.

Keywords: Eisenmenger’s Syndrome, Pulmonary hypertension, anaesthesia, Caesarean Section, Complications
Singapore Med J 2000; 41(7): 356-358