Epidural Intravascular Injection Detection by Transthoracic Echocardiography

Accidental intravascular injection of local anesthetic during attempted administration of epidural anesthesia can be life-threatening. The authors report a case in which standard means of detecting epidural intravascular injection were equivocal. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with injection of agitated saline into the epidural catheter facilitated the rapid and definitive diagnosis of intravascular placement.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Case Report Source Type: research