Anesthetic management for renal transplant in patients with grade III diastolic dysfunction: case reports

Background Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is frequently noticed in patients with multiple co-morbidities. Echocardiography is used to determine the presence of diastolic dysfunction and to grade its severity. In left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, the ventricular diastolic distensibility, filling, or relaxation is abnormal; however, the left ventricular ejection fraction may be normal or decreased. Case presentation We present anesthetic management of two patients with diastolic dysfunction grade III for renal transplant. During declamping in renal transplant, high central venous pressures are required for adequate perfusion of the transplanted kidney. In the operation theater standard monitors including NIBP, SpO2 and five lead ECG were attached. An arterial line (radial) and central line (right internal jugular) were established for IBP and CVP monitoring. Infusions of furosemide and dopamine were started. Nitrogycerine and milrinone infusions were prepared but were not required intraoperatively. Both the patients were extubated at the end of surgery. Conclusions Increased incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events has been reported in surgical patients having grade III diastolic dysfunction. Hemodynamic instability and fluid overload in this set of patients are known to generate pulmonary edema.