Epidural anesthesia in a patient with single ventricle.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Single ventricle is a complex congenital cardiopathy characterized by a unit ventricular chamber. Changes of the cardiovascular system in response to epidural anesthesia in these patients have yet to be clearly elucidated.

METHODS

A 26-year-old man with single ventricle underwent an orchiopexy under lumbar epidural anesthesia with intravenous sedation.

RESULTS

Orchiopexy was successfully performed and the patient was discharged from hospital 4 days later.

CONCLUSION

This case report emphasizes the issues of importance to anesthesiologists in regard to this cardiopathy and describes a successful technique of caring for a patient with a complex problem in an emergency situation.