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Anesthesia in patient with shrinking lung syndrome: case report

Abstracts

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be presented as a syndrome called shrinking lung syndrome (SLS). SLS has quite a controversial pathophysiology, which can induce to a mechanical ventilation dependency. Due to its rarity, there is a limited number of publications on the subject. The objective of this report is to present the case of a patient with SLS who underwent incisional hernia repair under epidural anesthesia. CASE REPORT: Female patient with SLE, hypertensive and obese, diagnosed with SLS 18 years ago. She was dependent on nocturnal oxygen at home, had dyspnea on minimal exertion and spirometry with severe restrictive ventilatory defect. In a previous post-operative period under general anesthesia, she remained on mechanical ventilation for 9 days with difficult weaning. She underwent incisional hernia repair for 3 hours under thoracic epidural anesthesia without any pre- or post-operative respiratory complication. CONCLUSIONS: Shrinking lung syndrome is a rare disease that requires a prior knowledge of the clinical and laboratory history of the patient by the anesthesiologist. The thoracic epidural anesthesia technique proved to be a satisfactory option for this patient, with highly satisfactory respiratory evolution.

Anesthesia; General Surgery; Lupus Erythematosus; Respiratory Muscles; Ventilation/complications


JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A incidência de acometimento pulmonar no Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico (LES) pode apresentar-se como uma síndrome denominada Síndrome do Pulmão Encolhido (SPE). De fisiopatologia bastante controversa, a SPE pode induzir dependência da ventilação mecânica. Devido à raridade, o número de publicações é restrito. O objetivo deste relato é apresentar o caso de paciente com SPE, submetida à correção de hérnia incisional sob anestesia peridural torácica. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente hipertensa, obesa e portadora de LES, diagnosticada com SPE há 18 anos. Dependente de oxigênio domiciliar noturno, apresentava dispneia aos pequenos esforços e espirometria com distúrbio ventilatório restritivo grave. Em pós-operatório anterior sob anestesia geral, permaneceu em ventilação mecânica por nove dias com desmame difícil. Submetida à correção de hérnia incisional por três horas sob anestesia peridural torácica, sem qualquer complicação respiratória per ou pós-operatória. CONCLUSÕES: A Síndrome do Pulmão Encolhido é uma doença rara, que exige do anestesiologista conhecimentos prévios, clínico e laboratorial, do paciente. A técnica de anestesia peridural torácica mostrou-se uma opção anestésica satisfatória para esta paciente, com evolução respiratória altamente satisfatória.

ANESTÉSICAS; ANESTÉSICAS; CIRURGIA; COMPLICAÇÕES; SÍNDROMES; TÉCNICAS


JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La aparición de la afectación pulmonar en el Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico (LES), puede aparecer como un síndrome denominado: Síndrome del Pulmón Encogido (SPE). De fisiopatología bastante controvertida, la SPE puede inducir a la dependencia de la ventilación mecánica. Debido a su raro aparecimiento, el número de publicaciones es muy pequeño. El objetivo de este relato, es presentar el caso de un paciente con SPE, sometida a la corrección de hernia incisional bajo anestesia epidural torácica. RELATO DEL CASO: Paciente hipertensa, obesa y portadora de LES, diagnosticada con SPE hace 18 años. Dependiente de oxígeno domiciliario nocturno, presentaba disnea a los pequeños esfuerzos y espirometría con disturbio ventilatorio restrictivo grave. En el postoperatorio anterior bajo anestesia general, permaneció en ventilación mecánica por nueve días con destete difícil. Fue sometida a la corrección de hernia incisional durante tres horas bajo anestesia epidural torácica, sin ninguna complicación respiratoria per o postoperatoria. CONCLUSIONES: El Síndrome del Pulmón Encogido es una enfermedad rara que exige del anestesiólogo tener conocimientos previos, clínicos y laboratoriales sobre el paciente. La técnica de anestesia epidural torácica ha sido una opción anestésica satisfactoria para esa paciente, con una evolución respiratoria altamente satisfactoria.

ANESTÉSICAS; ANESTÉSICAS; CIRUGÍA; COMPLICACIONES; SÍNDROMES; TÉCNICAS


CLINICAL INFORMATION

IAnesthesiologist

IIMSc; Associate Professor, Universidade de Brasília (UnB); Scientific Director of the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology; Head of CET/SBA, UnB

Correspondence to

SUMMARY

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be presented as a syndrome called shrinking lung syndrome (SLS). SLS has quite a controversial pathophysiology, which can induce to a mechanical ventilation dependency. Due to its rarity, there is a limited number of publications on the subject. The objective of this report is to present the case of a patient with SLS who underwent incisional hernia repair under epidural anesthesia.

CASE REPORT: Female patient with SLE, hypertensive and obese, diagnosed with SLS 18 years ago. She was dependent on nocturnal oxygen at home, had dyspnea on minimal exertion and spirometry with severe restrictive ventilatory defect. In a previous post-operative period under general anesthesia, she remained on mechanical ventilation for 9 days with difficult weaning. She underwent incisional hernia repair for 3 hours under thoracic epidural anesthesia without any pre- or post-operative respiratory complication.

Conclusions: Shrinking lung syndrome is a rare disease that requires a prior knowledge of the clinical and laboratory history of the patient by the anesthesiologist. The thoracic epidural anesthesia technique proved to be a satisfactory option for this patient, with highly satisfactory respiratory evolution.

Keywords: Anesthesia, epidural; General Surgery; Lupus Erythematosus, systemic; Respiratory Muscles; Ventilation/complications.

INTRODUCTION

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease, characterized by the formation of auto-antibodies and immune complexes, with various clinical and immunological manifestations 1. Pulmonary involvement can occur between 60% and 80% of the cases 2, and may affect the upper airways, pleura, parenchyma and pulmonary vessels in different ways 3. Some pleuropulmonary manifestations include pleuritis, pneumonitis, fibrosis, alveolar hemorrhage, bronchiolitis obliterans, hypertension, and pulmonary thromboembolism. More rarely, it may arise as the shrinking lung syndrome (SLS), a rare manifestation of SLE, characterized by unexplained dyspnea, restrictive pattern on spirometry, and elevation of the diaphragm, in the absence of parenchymal lung diseases 4.

Although there are some studies in literature describing the SLS, none of them consider the anesthetic management of these patients. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of a patient with SLS who underwent thoracic epidural anesthesia for incisional hernia repair.

CASE REPORT

Female patient, 54 years old, who underwent surgery for supraumbilical incisional hernia three months after a left adrenalectomy surgery (incidentaloma).

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis for 33 years and SLE for 22 years, the patient was taking prednisone (5 mg.d-1); had had an episode of acute myocardial infarction 20 years before with no sequelae; and was diagnosed with SLP for 18 years. Currently, she depends on nocturnal oxygen (2 L. min-1) at home. She presented class II obesity, hypertension taking propranolol (80 mg.d-1), and diabetes mellitus taking acarbose (150 mg.d-1). She was also taking AAS (100 mg.d-1), discontinued during the previous two weeks and atorvastatin (20 mg.d-1). The patient reported dyspnea on mild exertion; being a former smoker for 15 years, while smoking 30 packs/year for 15 years. She underwent previous surgeries without anesthetic complications, except after left adrenalectomy when she presented difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation, requiring tracheostomy and ICU care for 9 days.

At physical examination, the patient presented good general condition; was lucid and oriented, afebrile, acyanotic, anicteric, hydrated, and ruddy (weight 90 kg, height 1.60 m; BMI = 35 kg.m-2).

Respiratory system showed universally audible breath sounds with rales at the right base of the hemithorax. Cardiovascular system showed a regular heart rhythm in two stages, with normal sounds and no murmurs; blood pressure of 110x70 mmHg and heart rate at 64 bpm. Abdomen was distended with hernial ring of ± 4 cm in the right supraumbilical region; airway Malampatti III; good oral opening (4 cm), with tracheostomy scar.

Blood count showed no changes. Arterial blood gas measurements were: pH 7.29; pCO2 45.2 mmHg; pO2 49.4 mmHg; HCO3 20.4. Echocardiogram showed ejection fraction of 69% and holosystolic murmur of mitral regurgitation without systemic repercussions. Chest X-ray showed right-sided diaphragmatic elevation (Figure 1). Chest tomography revealed subsegmental atelectasis in the middle and lower lobes of right lung, bilateral pleural thickening, elevated right hemidiaphragm, and pericardial thickening. Spirometry showed a severe restrictive ventilatory defect with moderate reduction of the alveolar-capillary oxygen diffusion. The patient was previously evaluated by the cardiology and pulmonary teams and referred to the procedure. Physical status classification: ASA PS (P) III.


In the operating room, all airway material was prepared and tested, including the available laryngeal mask. After performing venous puncture, the patient was properly monitored with noninvasive blood pressure, oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, and urinary catheter. Oxygen saturation was 94%, but after using nasal cannula the oxygen saturation level was between 96% and 98%. Midazolam 2.5 mg and hydrocortisone 300 mg were administered. For epidural anesthesia induction, the loss of resistance technique was used with median puncture at T10-T11 and infusion with a test dose of 3 mL of 2% lidocaine with vasoconstrictor, without hemodynamic effects. The epidural catheter was placed and then 15 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine and 50 µg fentanyl were administered. Blood pressure was measured and an invasive arterial blood gas sample was collected. The surgery was uneventful, and the patient remained hemodynamically stable and adequately sedated.

At the end of surgery, which lasted three hours, a new epidural dose of 10 mL 0.125% ropivacaine with 2 g dipyrone and 8 mg ondansetron was administered intravenously for post-operative analgesia and prevention of nausea and vomiting. Total urine output was 250 mL. The patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hemodynamically stable, awake, lucid and cooperative, receiving oxygen by Venturi mask (10 L.min-1) and monitored. In the ICU, the patient remained without complaints, receiving dipyrone 2 g every 4 hours, without requiring other medications for pain or vomiting. She was discharged from ICU after 24 hours, transferred to the ward, and discharged from hospital on the third postoperative day.

DISCUSSION

The pathogenesis of SLS is controversial 3,5. It has been suggested that there is a weakness of respiratory muscles, mainly diaphragmatic, due to a myopathy unrelated to corticosteroids 5. This hypothesis is not always accepted by some researchers who suggest chest wall restriction as the main cause 6. Most authors agree that SLS is a heterogeneous entity relating to multiple pathogenic processes 5. The treatment remains empirical and involves the use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, xanthines, and inhaled beta-agonist (due to the positive inotropic effect of this substance on beta-receptors of diaphragmatic muscle) 2-5,7. The prognosis is generally good, with improvement and stabilization of pulmonary symptoms. However, there is a report on death of a patient who remained dependent on mechanical ventilation, despite high doses of corticosteroids 5.

The patient in this study had a restrictive pattern on spirometry and lung volumes reduced, without pleuropulmonary diseases justifying the dyspnea and oxygen. The epidural anesthesia was aimed at preventing early ministration of mechanical ventilation in this patient, allowing surgery under spontaneous breathing. The aim was also to avoid possible prolonged mechanical ventilation and to ensure adequate control of postoperative analgesia.

The decision on the choice of anesthesia is influenced by the surgical time and field, in addition to the patient's clinical conditions. The effects of epidural anesthesia on pulmonary function seem to be beneficial 8,9. Both local anesthetics and opioids help diaphragmatic function, improving lung volume and capacity and reducing postoperative complications 9,10. If the spread of local anesthetic reaches the cervical roots (C5 to C3), respiratory function may be compromised by blocking intercostal nerves and the partial or total blockage of the phrenic nerve. Changes in lung volumes and capacities after epidural block should not be forgotten because they directly alter the respiratory reserve.

Ropivacaine is a local anesthetic belonging to the pipecoloxylidide group, noted by the lower intensity of motor block and reduced potential for cardiovascular toxicity compared to bupivacaine 8,9. It is known that the thoracic epidural block with concentrated solutions of bupivacaine causes a moderate reduction in vital capacity and in maximal inspiratory flow, probably due to a certain degree of relaxation of the intercostal muscles 8,9. The use of less concentrated solutions of a local anesthetic such as ropivacaine may reduce the possibility of significant impairment of respiratory muscles 9.

Considering the high incidence of hypotension and bradycardia resulting from blockade of sympathetic cardioacceleratory fibers, this technique should be performed with extreme caution. Proper selection of patients, accurate monitoring of vital functions, knowledge of the technique chosen and its physiological implications are of vital importance.

CONCLUSION

Shrinking lung syndrome is a rare disease which characteristics require the anesthesiologist's prior knowledge of the patient's clinical and laboratory history. This article has shown that thoracic epidural anesthesia was a good option for this patient, with highly satisfactory respiratory evolution.

REFERENCES

  • 1. Hines RL, Marschall KE - Skin and Musculoskeletal Diseases em: Stoelting's Anesthesia and Co - Existing Diseases, Quinta Edição, Philadelphia, Elsevier Inc., 2008.
  • 2. Oud KTM, Bresser P, ten Berge RJM et al. - The shrinking lung syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus: improvement with corticosteroid therapy. Lupus, 2005;14:959-63.
  • 3. Costa CA, Junior DOC, Jezler S et al. - Síndrome do pulmão encolhido no lúpus eritematoso sistêmico. J Bras Pneumol, 2004;30(3):260-63.
  • 4. Hoffbrand BI, Beck ER - Unexplained dyspnoea and shrinking lungs in systemic lúpus erythematosis. Br Med J, 1965;5445:1273-1277.
  • 5. Warrington KJ, Moder KG, Brutinel WM - The shrinking lung syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus. Mayo Clin Proc, 2000;75:467-72.
  • 6. Ernest D, Leung A - Ventilatory failure in shrinking lung syndrome is associated with reduced chest compliance. Intern Med J, 2010;40:66-79.
  • 7. Toya SP, Tzelepis GE - Association of the shrinking lung syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus with pleurisy: a systematic review. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 2008;38:30-37.
  • 8. Novaes MVM, Francisco CRL, Pimenta KB et al. - Estudo comparativo entre bupivacaína a 0,25% e ropivacaína a 0,2% em anestesia peridural para cirurgia torácica. Rev Bras Anestesiol, 2001;51(6):493-502.
  • 9. Nociti JR, Serzedo PSM, Zuccolotto EB et al. - Ropivacaína em bloqueio peridural torácico para cirurgia plástica. Rev Bras Anestesiol, 2002;52(2):156-165.
  • 10. Leao DG - Peridural torácica: estudo retrospectivo de 1240 casos. Rev Bras Anestesiol, 1997;47(2):138-147.
  • Anesthesia in patient with shrinking lung syndrome: case report

    Silvia Piccolo-DaherI; Edno Magalhães, TSAII
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      23 Mar 2012
    • Date of issue
      Apr 2012

    History

    • Received
      08 Dec 2010
    • Accepted
      19 June 2011
    Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia R. Professor Alfredo Gomes, 36, 22251-080 Botafogo RJ Brasil, Tel: +55 21 2537-8100, Fax: +55 21 2537-8188 - Campinas - SP - Brazil
    E-mail: bjan@sbahq.org