Intracerebral hemorrhage in a patient with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome which was diagnosed after caesarean section : A case report

• Published in: Korean journal of anesthesiology Vol. 56; no. 5; pp. 592 - 596
• Main Authors: Song, Jae Gyok, Kim, Seok Kon, Eun, Jong Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 01-05-2009
• Subjects: Hypertension; Preeclampsia; Intracerebral hemorrhage; HELLP syndrome
• ISSN: 2005-7563
• DOI: 10.4097/kjae.2009.56.5.592

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of very dangerous complications of preeclampsia/eclampsia. We experienced postoperative ICH in a 39-year-old woman with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. The paturient complained severe headache and upper abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting. Her initial blood pressure was 190/120 mmHg and her heart rate was 80 beat/min. The diagnosis of preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome was confirmed by the severe hypertension and the laboratory findings. She was drowsy at the emergency room but she lost consciousness when transferring to the operation room. Caesarean section was done under general anesthesia. After the operation she could not recover self-respiration and consciousness. Her brain CT showed ICH in the basal ganglia with intraventricular hemorrhage and severe brain edema. She expired one the 5 th post operative day due to brain death and multiple organ failure. Early diagnosis is the key to treating ICH.