Malignant hyperthermia in a 4-year-old girl during anesthesia induction with sevoflurane and succinylcholine for congenital ptosis surgery.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare pharmacogenic disorder of skeletal muscle calcium regulation, resulting from general anesthesia that can be fatal. Most cases are caused by administration of volatile anesthetics or depolarizing muscle relaxants. It has been generally reported that both of sevoflurane and succinylcholine can induce the delayed onset of MH. Here, we report a case of malignant hyperthermia in a four-year-old girl during anesthesia induction for unilateral congenital ptosis surgery, two minutes after sevoflurane and succinylcholine administration. The crisis was atypical but early recognized and managed by administration of dantrolene with symptomatic treatment.

Pregnancy and delivery in woman with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: what we should know.

We report the observation of a 25-year-old pregnant patient of 39 weeks of amenorrhea proposed for elective cesarean section. This patient suffers from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy since the age of 12. She has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The peculiarities of the ICD in the parturient and the perioperative management of the patient are being reported in this paper.

[Transfusion strategy for patients with severe postpartum hemorrhage: a retrospective study of 47 cases]. / Stratégie transfusionnelle des hémorragies graves du post-partum: étude rétrospective à propos de 47 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. It requires a multidisciplinary approach. Transfusion strategy is essential, playing a key role in maternal prognosis. This study aims to determine FFP/RBC ratio (plasma frais congelé/concentrés de globules rouges; fresh frozen plasma/red blood cells) during the treatment of serious postpartum haemorrhages. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at a Maternity Referral Center (level III) in eastern Tunisia over a period of 4 years (2009-2012). All parturients admitted due to severe postpartum bleeding requiring transfusion of more than 4 Units of RBC during the first 3 hours or of more than 10 Units of RBC during the first 24 hours of treatment were included in the study. RESULTS: 47 parturients were enrolled in our study. The diagnosis of PPH was made on the basis of vaginal bleeding in 28 cases and following cesarean section in 19 cases. Preoperative hemoglobin level was of 6.3 g/dl. Transfusion ratio (FFP/RBC) was 1/0.7. CONCLUSION: During tratment transfusion ratio was greater than that indicated in the existing guidelines stating an early and massive administration of FFP with a FFP/RBC ratio ranging between 1/2 and 1/1. Fibrinogen (Fbg) and tranexamic acid should be administered as early as possible. The use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) should remain the ultimate treatment option.