TWO CASES OF PRIMARY PULMONARY HYPERTENSION WITH SUDDEN DEATH ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF BARBITURATES

Abstract

Two cases of primary pulmonary hypertension proven at autopsy died shortly after administration of small amounts of barbiturate. The decrease in cardiac output and rise in peripheral resistance in barbiturate anesthesia might have contributed to sudden deaths. Even a slight alteration in cardiac output in patients whose output is already decreased by primary disease might lead to sufficient myocardial ischemia to produce irreversible changes. Anaesthesia in patients with this disease should be local or spinal whenever possible.