Cesarean section in a parturient with HIV and recent cocaine and alcohol intake: anesthetic implications

K M Kuczkowski; J L Benumof

doi:10.1054/ijoa.2001.0940

Cesarean section in a parturient with HIV and recent cocaine and alcohol intake: anesthetic implications

Int J Obstet Anesth. 2002 Apr;11(2):135-7. doi: 10.1054/ijoa.2001.0940.

Authors

K M Kuczkowski¹, J L Benumof

Affiliation

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, California, USA. kkuczkowski@ucsd.edu

PMID: 15321567
DOI: 10.1054/ijoa.2001.0940

Abstract

We present a case of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive, poly-substance abusing parturient who presented for an emergency cesarean section following recent cocaine and alcohol intake. Spinal anesthesia was selected for the abdominal delivery. 4 min after delivery of the fetus, the patient developed hypotension, intermittent runs of ventricular tachycardia, premature ventricular complexes and ST-segment elevation. Induction of general anesthesia, endotracheal intubation, intravenous lidocaine and phenylephrine were required to restore stability. At the end of surgery the patient was stable and was extubated. The ST-segment elevation returned to normal 45 min postoperatively. Her postoperative course was uneventful.