Anaesthesia Flashcards
What reasons are there for anaesthesia?
Restraint - Surgery - Diagnostic procedures - Therapy - Legal requirements
Define anaesthesia
Loss of sensation resulting from pharmacological depression of nerve function
Define general anaesthesia
State of unconsciousness produced by controlled reversible drug-induced intoxication of CNS - No patient recall or perception
Define local anaesthesia
Temporary block of sensory nerves
What are the components of general anaesthesia that mark it as successful?
Unconsciousness - Analgesia - Muscle relaxation - Normal oxygen delivery - Homeostasis
What is balanced anaesthesia?
Use of smaller doses of a combination of drugs to achieve various components of anaesthesia to reduce disadvantages of using large doses of one drug
What are the side effects of anaesthesia?
Excessive physiological depression - Depressed homeostatic mechanisms - Specific drug effects (eg NSAIDs reducing prostaglandin-mediated renal autoregulation)
What is pre-anaesthetic medication?
Drugs given prior to anaesthesia which contribute to the peri-anaesthetic process (prep, medication, anaesthesia and recovery)
Why premedicate for anaesthesia?
Relieve anxiety - Peri-operative analgesia - Counteract unwanted side effects - Reduce anaesthetic dose
What is the difference between a tranquiliser and a sedative?
Tranquilisers reduce anxiety (anxiolytic) whereas sedative reduce anxiety whilst causing drowsiness
What are the 4 main classes of sedatives?
Phenothiazines - Butyrophenones - Benzodiazepines - Alpha 2 agonists
Give an example of a phenothiazine
Acepromazine (ACP)
Give the general pharmacodynamics of Acepromazine on CNS
CNS - dopamine antagonism causing sedation
Give the general pharmacodynamics of Acepromazine on GI
Anti-emetic (CTZ antagonism) - Anti-spasmodic - Anti-sialagogue
Give the general pharmacodynamics of Acepromazine on CVS
Alpha1-adrenergic antagonism - Peripheral vasodilation and anti-arrhythmic effects
What routes can ACP be administered?
IM (mainly) - IV - Oral (variable absorption)
How is ACP distributed in the body?
Lipophilic and protein bound
Why should ACP be avoided in breeding stallions?
Paralysis of retractor penis muscle - May lead to penile relaxation and priapism
With what breed of dog should you be cautious with using ACP in? Why?
Brachycephalic and giant breeds - Airways and sensitivity
Why shouldn’t you use ACP prior to intradermal skin testing?
Has anti-histamine effect
What does ACP potentiate?
Opioids - Local anaesthetic - General anaesthetics - Organophosphates
Give two examples of Butyrophenones
Azaperone - Fluanisone
How do Butyrophenones cause sedation?
Dopamine antagonism
What are the pharmacodynamics of butryophenones?
CNS - Sedative, antiemetic, hallucinations (humans)
CVS - vasodilation and hypotension
Give two examples of Benzodiazepines
Diazepam - Midazolam
What is the mechanism of action of Benzodiazepines?
Potentiation of GABA (Gamma amino buteric acid) - Major inhibitor of neurotransmitter in CNS
What are the pharmacodynamics of Benzodiazepines in the CNS?
Anxiolytic action - Anticonvulsant properties (for seizures)
In which patients do Benzodiazepines work best in?
Very young, very old or sick patients
What kind of drug is Diazepam? Describe the properties of it
Benzodiazepine - Insoluble in water and irritant - Presented as solution in propylene glycol (causes discomfort on injection)
Why shouldn’t you draw up diazepam into a syringe early?
Absorbed onto plastic
Describe the pharmacokinetic properties of diazepam (valium)
Rapid onset and short duration - Highly lipid soluble and protein bound - Metabolised in liver (some metabolites active) - Excreted in urine
What are the pharmacodynamics of Diazepam in the CNS?
Central muscle relaxation - Anticonvulsant - Appetite stimulant in cats
Why do you have to be careful when administering Diazepam as an appetite stimulant in cats?
Causes hepatic failure on oral administration
Give an example of a water soluble benzodiaepine. How is it administered?
Midazolam - IM
Give the mechanism of action of alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists
Act centrally and peripherally - Pre-synaptic a2 receptors reduces release of noradrenaline (-ve feedback) - Post-synaptic a2 receptors initiates a1 type response
What is the a1-type response caused by a2-receptor agonists?
Peripheral vasoconstriction - Splenic contraction - Increase PCV
What are the aplha2-adrenoceptor agonist phramacodynamics in the CNS?
Sedation - Analgesia - Muscle relaxation
What are the aplha2-adrenoceptor agonist phramacodynamics in the CVS?
Dramatic vagally mediated bradycardia - Biphasic effect on blood pressure/vascular tone
1 - hypertension due to a1-type effect
2 - hypo/normotension because of bradycardia
What are the aplha2-adrenoceptor agonist phramacodynamics in the respiratory?
Depression especially in ruminants - Sometimes pulmonary oedema (esp. sheep)
What are the aplha2-adrenoceptor agonist phramacodynamics in the GIT?
Vomiting in dogs and cats - Depressed motility - Aerophagia
What are the aplha2-adrenoceptor agonist phramacodynamics in the endocrine system?
Inhibition of ADH (polyuric) - Inhibition of insulin release (osmotic glucose diuresis)
Why should Alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists be avoided in pregnant animals?
Cause uterine contraction
Give examples of a2-agonists
Xylazine - Detomidine - Romifidine - Medetomidine - Dexmedetomidine
In which species do you have to be careful with xylazine dosage? Why?
Ruminants - Very sensitive
What are the four stages of general anaesthesia?
Premed/Sedation - Induction - Maintenance - Recovery