Postoperative transient ischemic attack complicated by CO2 retention and hypoxemia in a patient receiving meperidine injection for postoperative pain relief.
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke is not a rare complication, particularly in aged patients after surgery and anesthesia. If it is not properly managed, unmendable injury may inevitably occur. Patients who experience postoperative TIA or stroke usually have underlying diseases without resolution or good control. We bring forward here for discussion a fatality due to unappropriately managed TIA, which occurred in a 72-year-old male, within 24 hours after surgery. Besides making accurate diagnosis, selection of drugs for pain relief and appropriate overall management are key points of discussion.
Lee
Hsien-Kuang
HK
Department ofAnesthesiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Chen
Chi-Hou
CH
Wong
Chih-Shung
CS
Cherng
Chen-Hwan
CH
Ho
Shung-Tai
ST
Lu
Chih-Cherng
CC
Lee
Tak-Yu
TY
D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications*; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008614:Meperidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008614:Meperidine