Epidural Anesthesia in a Patient with High Cardiac Risk

Abstract

Cardiac morbidity is the most common cause postoperative mortality furthermore anesthesia technics are associated with cardiac morbidity and mortality. A 48-year-old male, 90 kg, ASA physical status IV patient underwent femoropopliteal bypass under epidural anesthesia. Comorbidities included atrial fibrillation, dilated cardiomyopathy and 20% left ventricular ejection fraction. Epidural anesthesia was established with bupivacaine and fentanyl at L3-L4 intervertebral space. Hemodynamic stability and pain relief were established during and after the surgery. We consider that epidural anesthesia is preferable as an alternative regarding the risks of spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia for high cardiac risky patients.