Anesthetic Management of an Elderly Frail Patient with Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Poor Ejection Fraction in Prone Position – Case Report

Abstract Anesthetic management of elderly, frail patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and severely reduced ejection fraction in the prone position is challenging due to high risks of perioperative cardiac events and difficulties in resuscitation. We present a case of a 70-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities diagnosed with L4–L5 infective spondylodiscitis and L5 vertebral collapse who successfully underwent lumbar laminectomy and decompression with instrumentation. Key elements contributing to successful management included comprehensive pre-anesthetic evaluation, optimization of cardiac and general health, detailed counseling regarding perioperative risks, thorough understanding of DCM pathophysiology, careful consideration of patient frailty, vigilant intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring, and effective postoperative analgesia. This case highlights essential strategies for managing high-risk patients with DCM in prone surgical positions.