Postoperative analgesia following thoracotomy. Danger of delayed respiratory depression.
Narcotic anesthesia is commonly used for patients with depressed myocardial function. Post-thoracotomy analgesia is increasingly provided by epidural narcotic analgesia. Combination of the two techniques may have resulted in respiratory depression and death in a 66-year-old ischemic heart disease patient following thoracotomy.
D000368:Aged; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004824:Epidural Space; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery
D009020:Morphine; D005283:Fentanyl