Myasthenia gravis: a careful perioperative anesthetic management of coronary artery bypass grafting.

Nowadays, even hazardous cardiac surgery can be performed on patients with autoimmune diseases like myasthenia gravis. It requires a sensitive perioperative anesthetic approach especially in relation to nondepolarizing muscle relaxant administration. Myasthenic patients produce antibodies against the end-plate acetylcholine receptors causing muscle weakness and sensitivity to nondepolarizing muscle relaxants that could lead to respiratory failure. Perioperative nurse care is critical for uncomplicated course of treatment; therefore, apprehension of surgical procedure should be helpful on an everyday basis. We describe successful management without any pulmonary complications of two patients with myasthenia gravis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. In addition, antiacetylcholine receptor antibodies concentrations were evaluated during treatment time. In conclusion, we have found that reduced titrated doses of cisatracurium may be safely used in patients with myasthenia gravis undergoing cardiac surgery without anesthesia and respiratory-related complications.