Perioperative Anesthetic Considerations for Catheter-Based Pulmonary Vein Interventions in Fibrosing Mediastinitis

Abstract

IntroductionFibrosing mediastinitis is a rare disease characterized by abnormal proliferation of fibrous tissue, causing compression, and narrowing of the airway, blood vessels and other mediastinal structures, including the pulmonary veins. Catheter based interventions are available palliative strategies. Due to the complex nature of the disease and the profound respiratory and hemodynamic sequela that may ensue, anesthetic management requires meticulous interdisciplinary planning. MethodsWe performed a retrospective descriptive study including patients with Fibrosing Mediastinitis undergoing catheter-based interventions for pulmonary vein stenosis from January 2020 to April 2024. A total of fourteen patients underwent chart review and we reported patient sex, preprocedural pulmonary artery pressures, comorbidities, lung isolation strategies, intra-procedural anesthestic complications, post procedural ICU admissions and length of stayResults: All patients underwent pulmonary vasculature angioplasty, with or without stent placement, under general anesthesia with lung isolation capabilities and echocardiogram guidance. 11 of 18 (61%) cases were uncomplicated. 4 of 18 (22%) required unanticipated postoperative ICU care, 2 (11%) in the setting of pulmonary hemorrhage, one due to hypoxic respiratory failure, and one due to difficult airway. One patient developed self-limiting postoperative hemoptysis in two different occasions and one patient developed a vascular access related complication. Mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 2.6 days (0-13 days) and mean ICU LOS was 1.75 days (1-4 days). One patient presented 6-weeks postoperatively with massive hemoptysis likely secondary to PV rupture and passed away following a protracted ICU course. ConclusionPatients with FM can achieve successful intraprocedural outcomes by ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the disease, addressing significant anesthetic concerns and considerations, and engaging a multi-disciplinary team.