Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is a rare form of muscular dystrophy involving both cardiac and skeletal muscles. Cardiac involvement frequently leads to dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and may precipitate sudden cardiac death. Skeletal involvement is characterised by early contractures and muscle weakness in the humeroperoneal distribution. We describe the anaesthetic management of a 29-year-old patient with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy presenting for elective caesarean section and discuss the disorder and its potential anaesthetic implications.
WatersD.D., NutterD.O., HopkinsL.C., DorneyE.R.Cardiac features of an unusual X-linked humeroperoneal neuromuscular disease.N Engl J Med1975; 293: 1017–1022.
13.
FatkinD., MacRaeC., SasakiT., WolffM.R., PorcuM., FrenneauxM.Missense mutations in the rod domain of the lamin A/C gene as causes of dilated cardiomyopathy and conduction-system disease.N Engl J Med1999; 341: 1715–1724.
14.
KamP.C.Anaesthetic management of a patient with an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator in situ.Br J Anaesth1997; 78: 102–106.
15.
BioneS., MaestriniE., RivellaS., ManciniM., RegisS., RomeoG.Identification of a novel X-linked gene responsible for Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.Nat Genet1994; 8: 323–327.
16.
JensenV.The anaesthetic management of a patient with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.Can J Anaesth1996; 43: 968–971.
17.
SariegoM., BustosA., GuerolaA., RomeroI., Garcia-BaqueroA.[Anesthesia for cesarean section in a case of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy].Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim1996; 43: 288–290.