Anesthetic Management in Patient with Suspected Brain Abscess, Atrium Septal Defect, and Eisenmenger Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with congenital heart disease especially with systemic shunting between systemic and pulmonary circulation often develop pulmonary hypertension and left-to-right shunt (Eisenmenger syndrome) if left untreated. These patients are at risk of developing spontaneous brain abscess due to brain infarction caused by polycythemia, impaired immune function, and loss of lung phagocytosis. Such patients were often admitted to the emergency room with signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), and needed specific consideration during surgery. Case: a 31-year old female diagnosed with intracranial space occupying lesion (SOL) due to suspected brain abscess with concurrent heart defects (atrial septal defect / ASD and Eisenmenger syndrome) was consulted to the operating theatre for emergency burrhole aspiration. The surgery was performed for an hour and the postoperatively the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Conclusion: perioperative management of patients with brain abscess and concurrent ASD and Eisenmenger syndrome consists of preoperative management, methods of anesthesia, monitoring, and interventions to prevent the worsening of left-to-right shunt and increasing intracranial pressure. These managements consist of optimal pain management, perioperative oxygen therapy, and prevention of precipitating factor that increases left-to-right shunting.