[Peridural anesthesia for subcostal cholecystectomy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Apropos of 2 cases].

Two patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were considered to be at high risk for anesthesia and surgery due to possible complications during and after surgery. The anesthetic technique used in such cases must be selected based on the type of surgery and the severity of heart disease. We describe the cases of 2 patients with histories of DCM, arising in a context of alcohol use in one case and of ischemia in the other. The patients were scheduled for uncomplicated cholecystectomy by subcostal approach under epidural anesthesia. The patients remained hemodynamically stable during surgery and there were no complications. They were released 26 and 13 days after surgery, respectively. We conclude that epidural anesthesia is a valid alternative to general anesthesia in DCM patients undergoing subcostal cholecystectomy.