Journal of Anesthesiology and Clinical Research
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): Journal of Anesthesiology and Clinical Research

Epidural Anesthesia and Staged Inodilator–Vasopressor Support for Emergency Cesarean Section in a Parturient with Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

Fitri Hapsari Dewi (Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Propan Hanggada Satyamakti Mubarak (Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Aditya Baskoro (Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
07 Jul 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy imposes a progressive haemodynamic burden that can be lethal in women with fixed cardiac output states. The coexistence of severe tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a parturient is rare and carries a high risk of right ventricular decompensation, especially when an intracardiac right-to-left shunt is present. Case Presentation: We describe a 30-year-old gravida 3 para 2 woman at 37+1 weeks of gestation who presented with antepartum vaginal bleeding and known SLE, severe tricuspid regurgitation (effective regurgitant orifice area 0.4 cm², vena contracta 0.7 cm), high-probability pulmonary hypertension (estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure 74.7 mmHg) and a patent foramen ovale with right-to-left shunt. Emergency caesarean section was performed under graded epidural anaesthesia with 0.5% levobupivacaine. Intraoperative haemodynamics were supported with titrated infusions of norepinephrine, milrinone, dobutamine and furosemide under deliberate fluid restriction. A 2.56 kg male neonate was delivered with Apgar scores of 7, 8 and 9. Transient maternal hypotension and tachycardia responded to vasoactive titration; pharmacological support was staged down and discontinued by postoperative day 2, and the patient was transferred to the ward on day 3 with an improved tricuspid regurgitant velocity. Conclusion: Graded epidural anaesthesia combined with a pathophysiology-driven, staged inodilator–vasopressor strategy and deliberate fluid restriction enabled a favourable maternal and neonatal outcome in a parturient with the tricuspid–pulmonary hypertension–lupus triad. Multidisciplinary planning and meticulous, lesion-specific haemodynamic monitoring were decisive.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JACR

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Neuroscience

Description

Journal of Anesthesiology and Clinical Research/JACR that focuses on anesthesiology; pain management; intensive care; emergency medicine; disaster management; pharmacology; physiology; clinical practice research; and palliative ...