Continuous Erector Spinae Plane Block as an Effective Analgesic Option in Anticoagulated Patients After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Case Series

LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES (LVADs) increasingly have been used in the management of acute and chronic cardiac failure.1 LVADs often are implanted through a left thoracotomy incision to preserve the sternotomy approach for future cardiac transplantation.2 Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and thoracic paravertebral blockade (TPVB) are the current gold standards for managing acute post-thoracotomy pain3; however, block performance and catheter removal are contraindicated in the presence of systemic heparinization due to the risk of spinal hematoma.

Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - May 9, 2018 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Sanjib Das Adhikary, Amit Prasad, Behzad Soleimani, Ki Jinn Chin Tags: Case Report Source Type: research