anaesthetic agents Flashcards
what is propofol?
GABA receptor agonist
what are features of propofol?
Rapid onset of anaesthesia
Pain on IV injection
Rapidly metabolised with little accumulation of metabolites
Proven anti emetic properties
Moderate myocardial depression
when is propofol used?
Widely used especially for maintaining sedation on ITU, total IV anaesthesia and for daycase surgery
what is sodium thiopentone?
Extremely rapid onset of action making it the agent of choice for rapid sequence of induction
features of sodium thiopentone?
Marked myocardial depression may occur
Metabolites build up quickly
Unsuitable for maintenance infusion
Little analgesic effects
what is ketamine?
NMDA receptor antagonist
features of ketamine?
May be used for induction of anaesthesia
Has moderate to strong analgesic properties
Produces little myocardial depression making it a suitable agent for anaesthesia in those who are haemodynamically unstable
May induce state of dissociative anaesthesia resulting in nightmares
what is etomidate?
No analgesic properties
Has favorable cardiac safety profile with very little haemodynamic instability
features of ethomidate?
Unsuitable for maintaining sedation as prolonged (and even brief) use may result in adrenal suppression
Post operative vomiting is common
when are neuromuscular blocking drugs used?
as adjunct ot anaesthetics agents in surgery
cause muscle paralysis which is necessary prerequisite for mechanical ventilations
what are the types of neuromuscular blocking drugs?
depolarising and non-depolarising
how do depolarising NM drugs work?
Binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors resulting in persistent depolarization of the motor end plate
how do non-depolarising NM drugs work?
Competitive antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
example of non-depolarising NM drugs
Tubcurarine, atracurium, vecuronium, pancuronium
example of depolarising NM drugs
Succinylcholine (also known as suxamethonium)
