The unusual use of epidural anesthesia for effective treatment of transfusion related circulatory overload in a parturient

Abstract

We present the use of epidural anesthesia for the management of transfusion associated circulatory overload. After a vaginal delivery, a patient with preeclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage developed respiratory failure following rapid transfusion and fluid resuscitation. Her dyspnea and clinical status markedly improved after receiving an epidural bolus of 2-chlroprocaine. This unusual application of epidural anesthesia induces similar physiological changes to standard medical therapy for pulmonary edema and volume overload.