Anesthetic management of a patient with methamphetamine-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine abuse is a serious public health concern and causes various life-threatening disorders including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Herein, we present the first case report describing the anesthetic management of a patient with methamphetamine-associated PAH (M-A PAH) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old female with M-A PAH suffered from deterioration of right ventricular (RV) heart failure due to recurrent cholecystitis and was scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Preoperative assessment of PA pressure showed 82/32 (mean, 50) mmHg, and transthoracic echocardiology revealed a slight reduction of RV function. General anesthesia was induced and maintained by thiopental, remifentanil, sevoflurane, and rocuronium. PA pressure gradually increased after peritoneal insufflation; therefore, we administered dobutamine and nitroglycerin to decrease pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The patient emerged from anesthesia smoothly.

CONCLUSIONS: Avoiding increased PVR by appropriate anesthesia and medical hemodynamic support is an important consideration for patients with M-A PAH.