Anesthetic Management of a Case of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Congestive Heart Failure with Compartment Syndrome of the Upper Limb for Emergency Fasciotomy

Abstract

We describe the effectiveness and safety of regional anesthesia in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with a deranged coagulation profile. A 16-year-old male having DMD and congestive heart failure (CHF) presented to emergency with abdominal pain. Following cannula insertion, the patient developed compartment syndrome of the left forearm and hand. He was started on thrombolytic heparin infusion and the surgical team planned for an emergency fasciotomy. Ultrasound-guided axillary plexus block with ropivacaine allowed us to provide effective anesthesia for this patient avoiding the deleterious effects of general Anesthesia.