Epidural Analgesia and Vaginal Delivery in a Patient with Aortic Stenosis and Insufficiency

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ERTÜRK E., Bostan H., EROĞLU A.

MEDICAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, vol.20, no.6, pp.574-576, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 20 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1159/000330027
  • Journal Name: MEDICAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.574-576
  • Keywords: Epidural analgesia, Vaginal delivery, Aortic stenosis, Aortic insufficiency, Ropivacaine, CESAREAN-SECTION, ANESTHESIA, PREGNANCY
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: To report a successful vaginal delivery using slow infusion of epidural analgesia in a patient with both severe aortic stenosis and insufficiency. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 26-year-old primigravid patient presented to our hospital for delivery. She had aortic stenosis and insufficiency due to rheumatic fever. Although the obstetrician recommended cesarean section owing to her cardiac status, she insisted upon vaginal delivery. We performed low-dose epidural analgesia with 10 ml of 0.125% ropivacaine and 20 mu g fentanyl. She had spontaneous vaginal delivery without complication. Conclusion: This case showed that in spite of the cardiac pathology, vaginal delivery under low-dose slow infusion of epidural analgesia was successful and therefore may be a safe alternative to cesarean section for cardiac patients. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel