Korean J Anesthesiol.  2008 Jun;54(6):698-702. 10.4097/kjae.2008.54.6.698.

The Use of Remifentanil during General Anesthesia for Emergency Cesarean Section in a Patient with HELLP Syndrome: A case report

• Kim JH
• Park JS
• Baek DJ
• Lee SI
• Kim JY
• Choe WJ
• Kim KT
• Kim JW

• KMID: 1763531
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2008.54.6.698

Abstract

HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and a Low Platelet count) is a severe complication of preeclampsia or eclampsia, and is associated with a high risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In cases of delivery management in patients with HELLP syndrome, general anesthesia is required for cesarean sections in the presence of severe thrombocytopenia. These patients have a high risk of uncontrollable hypertension under stressful conditions, such as laryngoscopic intubation, surgical incision, and delivery. Remifentanil is an ultra-short-acting opioid with rapid onset and offset of action. In addition, remifentanil has a potent analgesic effect and provides cardiovascular stability during surgery. This paper reports a 33-year-old patient with HELLP syndrome, who was referred to our hospital for a cesarean section. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia with remifentanil being used as an adjunct for cardiovascular stability.

Keyword

cesarean section; HELLP syndrome; remifentanil

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anesthesia, General
Blood Platelets
Cesarean Section
Eclampsia
Emergencies
Female
HELLP Syndrome
Humans
Hypertension
Intubation
Liver
Piperidines
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy
Thrombocytopenia
Piperidines