Anaesthesia for carotid body tumour resection in a patient with the Eisenmenger syndrome. A case report.

A patient with the Eisenmenger syndrome presented for removal of a carotid body tumour under general anaesthesia. The presentation and management of the case are described and some of the anaesthetic problems associated with these two uncommon conditions are discussed. The case is reported because of its rarity and because some of the complications of carotid body surgery may be particularly hazardous in the presence of the Eisenmenger syndrome. The importance of monitoring, of maintaining a stable heart rate and blood volume, and the danger of paradoxical systemic air embolism are stressed.