Prolonged effect of nicardipine used for deliberate hypotension in scoliosis surgery: A case report

ABSTRACT

Postoperative respiratory complications following scoliosis surgery are high incidence. In this case, fifty year-old male patient was admitted for thoracolumbar screw fixations and developed postoperative pulmonary edema. This was most likely due to prolonged administration of nicardipine, which over time may inadvertently cause hypotension. As a result of volume overload, interstitial pulmonary edema and pleural effusion occurred. Moreover, pulmonary edema and pleural effusion appeared on the right side first and spread to the left. This phenomenon could be explained by the positioning of scoliosis patient. The cause of pulmonary edema was volume overload initiated by prolonged effect of nicardipine.