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  • Title: Hypoxia following interscalene block.
    Author: Rose M, Ness TJ.
    Journal: Reg Anesth Pain Med; 2002; 27(1):94-6. PubMed ID: 11799511.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interscalene brachial plexus block is often used for surgeries involving the shoulder and upper arm. Known complications include phrenic nerve paralysis, intravascular injection, and cervical epidural block. We report a patient who developed acute hypoxia immediately following this block, presumably secondary to an acute pulmonary thromboembolus (PTE) coupled with phrenic nerve paralysis. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old man with end-stage renal disease secondary to hypertension was scheduled for primary placement of a left upper extremity arteriovenous fistula. A technically unremarkable interscalene brachial plexus block was performed using a 22-gauge regional block needle and 35 mL of 1.5% mepivacaine. Immediately following injection, the patient's oxygen saturation decreased from 99% to 85%, and he complained of chest pain and shortness of breath and developed hemoptysis. Workup revealed an elevated hemidiaphragm, but no pneumothorax or evidence of local trauma. A spiral computed tomogram (CT) suggested acute pulmonary thromboemboli as the etiology of the hypoxia and hemoptysis, although the diagnosis was uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: This case report suggests that manipulations and vasodilation related to an interscalene block may have facilitated the dislodgement of a pre-existing upper extremity thrombus.
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