Hypertensive emergency as a complication of brachial plexus block.
The authors report a case of hypertensive emergency (defined as systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure >110 mm Hg with end organ damage) following brachial plexus blockade in a hypertensive lady with unstable angina. The authors describe blocking of baroreceptor reflexes by the local anaesthetic as a putative mechanism and suggest that this potentially serious complication should be considered when planning this particular anaesthetic technique.
Department of Anaesthesia, Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. drsajithc@yahoo.ca
Sajith
S
Chakithandy
Paul
P
Kelly
James
J
Barron
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001917:Brachial Plexus; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*