NEEDLE PHOBIA AND MALIGNANT VASOVAGAL SYNDROME

A case is reported in which suspicion of malignant vasovagal syndrome was aroused by a history of faints and needle phobia. The vasovagal re sponse was successfully avoided using a gaseous induction of anaesthes ia with sevoflurane. Intravenous access was achieved under general ana esthesia. The diagnosis of malignant vasovagal syndrome was confirmed postoperatively using a head-up tilt table test. An outline of the pat hophysiology of the syndrome gives some indication for suitable anaest hetic management strategies in similar cases.