Cesarean section in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome under spinal anesthesia

Maternal arrhythmias during pregnancy may be life-threatening. Several studies demonstrate that pregnancy predisposes maternal arrhythmias in asymptomatic patients with Wolff- Parkinson-White syndrome. The presence of an accessory pathway may responsible for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Regional anesthesia induced sympathetic blockade causes a prompt decrease in atrial filling pressure and this process results in increased disrhythmia. Autonomic, hemodynamic and hormonal changes may predispose to arrhythmias in pregnancy. Hormonal changes especially abrupt changes in serum levels of estrogens are thought to be responsible in the development of arrhythmias during pregnancy. This case report describes a pregnant woman with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome under spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery surgery.