Regional anaesthesia with a subarachnoid microcatheter for Caesarean section in a parturient with aortic stenosis

Abstract

We present a woman in her first pregnancy, with known aortic stenosis prior to conception, who successfully underwent regional anaesthesia for an elective Caesarean section using a subarachnoid microcatheter. The anaesthetic management of patients with aortic stenosis requiring noncardiac surgery is a complex and contentious matter, particularly when the situation is compounded by the physiological changes accompanying pregnancy and delivery. This is the first reported use of a subarachnoid microcatheter in such a patient. The choice of technique is discussed and compared with other options for providing anaesthesia.