Anesthetic management of a patient with polycythemia vera for neurosurgery

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by excess red cell clonality. The increased number of red blood cells can lead to increased viscosity of the blood and ultimately compromise the blood supply to the end organs. Thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications can also develop. Patients with PV presenting with neurological diseases that require surgical intervention are at an increased risk due to various factors, such as immobility, prolonged surgical time, hypothermia and dehydration. We report anesthetic management of a patient with PV who underwent neurosurgical intervention for vestibular schwannoma excision.