# Cervical Epidural Anesthesia in the Management of a Patient With Breast Cancer With Cardiac Dysfunction: A Case Report

## TL;DR

This case report explores the use of cervical epidural anesthesia in a breast cancer patient with heart issues to improve surgical outcomes.

## Contribution

The paper presents a novel application of cervical epidural anesthesia for managing breast cancer surgery in patients with cardiac dysfunction.

## Key findings

- Cervical epidural anesthesia helped maintain hemodynamic stability during surgery.
- The patient experienced effective pain relief and fewer cardiac complications postoperatively.
- The case supports the use of CEA in high-risk breast cancer patients.

## Abstract

As one of the most common cancers in the world, breast cancer management is fraught with difficulties. Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is one of the surgical procedures that is essential to the treatment of breast cancer. Cardiovascular issues, especially a reduced ejection fraction (EF), make these procedures more complex. Due to their increased vulnerability to adverse cardiac events during surgery, it is imperative to preserve hemodynamic stability and reduce physiological stress responses in these patients. A promising option in this changing field of anesthetic techniques is cervical epidural anesthesia (CEA). It effectively reduces hemodynamic fluctuations frequently linked to general anesthesia while providing analgesia. We report the case of an elderly patient with decreased EF and breast cancer scheduled for an MRM. To ensure the best possible outcomes in complex cases, the case report covers preoperative assessment, anesthesia technique, intraoperative management, and postoperative outcomes. This highlights the critical significance of customizing anesthesia and surgical procedures, informed consent, and meticulous postoperative pain management, and ultimately advocates for the broader implementation of CEA in such settings.