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The use of remifentanil for Cesarean section in a parturient with recurrent aortic coarctation

From the Department of Anesthesiology, University Health Sciences Center, 50 North Medical Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84132 USA.

Address correspondence to: Talmage D. Egan MD. Phone: 801-581-6393; Fax: 801-581-4367; E-mail: Talmage.Egan{at}hsc.utah.edu

Purpose: To illustrate the clinical utility of a short acting opioid (remifentanil) based general anesthetic for Cesarean section in a parturient with compromised cardiac function.

Clinical Features: A 23-yr-old primigravida, complicated by a recurrent aortic coarctation with an approximate 50% narrowing of the aortic arch, presented for elective Cesarean section at 37 wk gestational age. Initially asymptomatic, her clinical condition had deteriorated as the pregnancy progressed, with worsening episodes of mild chest pain and shortness of breath. A semi-elective Cesarean section under general anesthesia was planned at 37 wk to minimize the potential for aortic complications associated with the hemodynamic stress of labour. Remifentanil was infused at 0.05 to 0.1 µg•kg^–1•min^–1 with good sedation and analgesia for the placement of invasive monitors. The infusion was increased to 0.2 µg•kg^–1•min^–1 for induction, and combined with isoflurane 0.4 to 0.6% for maintenance of anesthesia. The patient maintained stable hemodynamics throughout and her trachea was extubated without difficulty at the end of the procedure. The newborn did not require tracheal intubation, mask ventilation or naloxone and was in excellent condition upon transfer to the well baby nursery.

Conclusion: Remifentanil, when used as part of an opioid-based general anesthetic for Cesarean section, can provide maternal hemodynamic stability with minimal neonatal respiratory depression and should allow for immediate postoperative tracheal extubation of the mother.