The management of anaesthesia for caesarean section in a patient with paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia.

We describe the successful management of general anaesthesia for Caesarean section in a patient with poorly controlled paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia of pregnancy. The use of alfentanil before laryngoscopy and tracheal extubation ensured cardiostability without compromising maternal or fetal wellbeing. General anaesthesia allows prompt cardioversion. We believe that in the presence of a life-threatening unstable cardiac rhythm this consideration outweighs any theoretical advantage of regional blockade.