Peripheral nerve blocks for lower limb surgery--a choice anaesthetic technique for patients with a recent myocardial infarction?
Peripheral nerve blocks are associated with minimal haemodynamic disturbance. It is perhaps ideal for high-risk surgical patients who cannot tolerate the adverse consequences of even the slightest attenuation of haemodynamic response. However, peripheral nerve blockade is often perceived to be time consuming and undependable as the sole anaesthetic. In this report, a 56-year-old man with severe sepsis and recent myocardial infarction presents for an urgent above knee amputation. We present the practical benefits of a combined sciatic-femoral nerve block on such a patient.
Chia
N
N
Department of Anaesthesia, Alexandra Hospital, 378 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159964. Naville_CHIA@Alexhosp.com.sg
Low
T C
TC
Poon
K H
KH
D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects*