title: Hemodynamic stability ensured by a low dose, low volume, unilateral hypobaric spinal block: modification of a technique.
abstract: We report the case of an 89-year-old female with a history of arterial hypertension, intermittent rapid atrial fibrillation and severe aortic valve stenosis, suffering from femoral neck fracture. Hyperbaric unilateral spinal anesthesia is a known technique to obtain stable hemodynamics combined with the possibility of continuous neurologic evaluation and preservation of cognitive functions. Because a hyperbaric unilateral technique can be very painful in case of traumatic hip fracture, a low dose, low volume, unilateral hypobaric spinal block may be an adequate alternative. In the present case report, a unilateral hypobaric spinal anesthesia was performed using 5 mg of bupivacaine in a 1.5 mL volume and a slow and steady, "air-buffered", directed injection technique, to allow an urgent hip arthroplasty. During surgery the patient was kept in the lateral recumbent position. Hemodynamics remained stable throughout the entire procedure without any need for vasoconstrictors. The impact of aortic valve stenosis combined with atrial fibrillation on anesthetic management and our considerations to opt for a unilateral hypobaric spinal anesthesia are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands. fam.elzinga@telfort.nl
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elzinga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peek
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Borg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koster
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Enk
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000399:Air Pressure; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000150:complications; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine