Coronary bypass surgery in patients with Sheehan's syndrome

Perioperative management in a patient with panhypopituitarism - evidence based approach: a case report

Background

Hypopituitarism is characterized by partial or complete deficiency of vital endocrinological hormones such as steroid and thyroid hormones. Generally, normal individual can exhibit 2- to 10-folds rise in serum cortisol levels during stressful period. But patients with panhypopituitarism are more prone to develop metabolic and haemodynamic instability particularly during stressful perioperative period. This can potentially increase significant morbidity and mortality.

Case summary

A 62-year-old female patient presented with breathlessness on exertion. Her coronary angiography revealed critical triple vessel coronary artery disease, and she was scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. She had been diagnosed with Sheehan’s syndrome (postpartum hypopituitarism) since 20 years. She was taking steroid and thyroxine regularly. After uneventful off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, patient had severe haemodynamic compromise with Addisonian crisis in the post-operative phase. Left ventricular dysfunction was refractory to maximal inotropic therapy. Addisonian crisis was treated with higher ‘Stress doses’ of intravenous hydrocortisone and routine oral thyroxin.

Discussion

Acute Addisonian crisis after stressful surgery is a life-threatening complication. Evidence-based approach plays an important role in appropriate biochemical assessments and specific therapeutic decisions regarding hormonal over-replacement or under-replacement in the perioperative period.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patient with Sheehan's syndrome

A patient with angina pectoris and Sheehan's syndrome underwent off-pump coronary bypass grafting. Perioperative hydrocortisone and oral thyroxin replacement were used, and no relative complication was found postoperatively. Careful perioperative hormonal management is necessary and safe for patients with hypopituitarism to receive off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.