Peripheral nerve blocks for above-the-knee amputation in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia

• Published in: Journal of clinical anesthesia Vol. 71; p. 110227
• Main Authors: Soberón, José R., Scali, Salvatore T., Urdaneta, Felipe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.08.2021; Elsevier Limited; Elsevier
• Subjects: Amputation; Anesthesia; Cardiovascular disease; Coronaviruses; Correspondence; COVID-19; Hypoxia; Mortality; Patients; Pneumonia; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Ultrasonic imaging; ALI
• ISSN: 0952-8180; 1873-4529
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2021.110227

An 88-year old male with a history of hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, and chronic kidney disease presented to the emergency department with acute-onset of right lower extremity pain with worsening weakness and loss of sensation. COVID-19 patients with ALI often have more complex cardiopulmonary sequelae of the viral infection which impacts their ability to undergo surgical interventions [3,4]. Because systemic anticoagulation precludes the use of neuraxial anesthesia in a patient population at high risk of respiratory complications, techniques such as peripheral nerve blocks should be considered as alternatives to general or neuraxial anesthesia. The patient's family provided written Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization to publish this letter.Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest or competing interests.Funding The authors have no sources of funding to declare for this manuscript.Acknowledgements We thank Dr. Lauren V. Soberón and the University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology Communications and Publishing Services Office for their editorial assistance.