Congenital complete heart block in the setting of severe pre-eclampsia requiring urgent cesarean section

Congenital complete heart block (CCHB) is a rare phenomenon that may be first discovered during pregnancy in previously asymptomatic patients.1 The hemodynamic demands of labor can be challenging for a pregnant patient with complete heart block.2,3 Several strategies have been described for the anesthetic care of these women, but there is limited agreement about a standardized approach.1,3 Concomitant severe pre-eclampsia presents a scenario in which magnesium therapy may add an additional risk of inducing a hemodynamically significant bradyarrhythmia in the presence of pre-existing complete heart block.
Source: International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Case report Source Type: research