Epidural Anesthesia for Cesarean Section in a Pregnant Woman With Acute Pulmonary Edema: A Case Report

Although rare, acute pulmonary edema is the most common cause of death in pregnant women with severe hypertension. The authors report a case involving a pregnant woman at 36 weeks of gestation with preeclampsia, who exhibited pulmonary edema and required immediate cesarean delivery. The patient had type 1 respiratory failure and needed supplemental oxygenation with a Venturi mask. The cesarean section was performed successfully under epidural anesthesia. Women with severe preeclampsia and acute pulmonary edema remain a challenge when presented for cesarean delivery, and the best anesthetic option remains controversial.