Epidural hematoma after epidural anesthesia in a patient with peripheral vascular disease. Case report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epidural hematoma is a severe, uncommon complication associated with epidural anesthesia in patients with peripheral vascular disease who require anticoagulant therapy. METHODS: An 84-year-old woman with acute left leg arterial ischemia underwent revascularization surgery under lumbar epidural anesthesia. Pre- and postoperative heparin was administered as an anticoagulant. RESULTS: Reperfusion of the leg was successful, however, 3 days later clinical signs of spinal cord compression appeared and epidural hematoma was diagnosed. Neurologic recovery was poor. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the need for careful individual preoperative analysis and postoperative observation to make anesthetic practice safe in patients receiving perioperative anticoagulant therapy.