Anesthesiology Flashcards
Receptor theory of anesthesia
- GABA: major inhibitory neurotransmitter
- Membrane structure and function; future of anesthesiology
- Glutamate: major excitatory neurotransmitter
- Endorphins: analgesia
What needs to be monitored/controlled during closed loop anesthesia?
- Ventilation control
- Hypnosis control
- Nociception control
- Metabolic control
- Temperature control
- Hemodynamic control
- Neuromuscular control
ASA physical status scale
- Normal healthy patient
- 2: Mild systemic disease (no limitation)
- Moderate to severe systemic disease with limitation of function
- Severe systemic disease (threat to life)
- Moribund (in a dying state) patient
- Brain dead patient (organ donation)
Pre- anesthetic plan
- Patient baseline condition and medical history
- Planned procedure
- Drug sensitivities
- Physiological makeup
The main anesthetic plan
- ASA physical status scale
- General vs regional anesthesia
- Airway
- Induction anesthesia to choose
- What to monitor
- Intraoperative management
- Postoperative management
Examples of ventilation management?
- Breathing systems
- Open drop anesthesia
- Mapleson circuits (pediatric anesthesia circuits)
- Anesthesia machines
Functions of the anesthesia machine?
- Recieve medical gases from gas supply
- Permits other gases (anesthetics) only if there is enough oxygen in the mixture
- Vaporizers are agent-specific
- Deliver and control tidal volume
- Wastegas scavenger system
- Regular inspections
Failure of the machine is a significant percentage of the mishaps in anesthesia practice
Ways of airway management and complications:
- Supraglottic device
- Endotracheal intubation: most common and safe protection of airways during anesthesia
Complications:
- Difficulty in managing the airway
- Difficult/traumatic intubation
Types of special airway techniques
- Fiberoptic Retrograde wire intubation
- Transtracheal jet ventilation
- Lighted stylets
- Laryngeal masks
- Combitube
- Surgical airway
Types of patient monitors
Common:
- Arterial BP (obligatory)
- ECG (obligatory)
- Pulsoxymetry (obligatory)
- Capnometry
- CVP (Central Venous Pressure) & PAC (Pulmonary Artery Catheter)
Less Common: EEG with BIS (bi-spectral index), Temperature, Nerve stimulation
Why monitor Arterial BP?
- Obligatory!
- Direct BP measured using arterial canule
- Helps monitor effectiveness of chest compressions during CPR
Why monitor ECG?
- Obligatory!
- 12 lead ECG is preferred (but not necessary)
- Helps monitor heart rate as well
Why monitor CVP (Central Venous Pressure)?
- Important for monitoring circulatory system
- Obligatory in cardiac procedures
- Monitored by inserting Central Venous Catheter into right atrium
- Normal central venous pressure is between 2-5 mmHg
Functions of a PAC (Pulmonary Artery Catheter)?
Also called Swan-Ganz catheter
- Measures pressure in right ventricle (20-25mmHg) -
- Measures pressure in pulmonary artery (10-25 mmHg) -
- Measures cardiac output - Monitor function of left ventricle
What complicates monitoring LV function using PVC?
When there is a high pulmonary resistance, the function of LV is harder to assess
How do we measure cardiac output using PVC?
By injecting cold saline into the catheter and measure how long it takes before the temperature changes at the end of the catheter
- CVP -1 to 1
- HR 80
- Systolic BP 100 mmHg
What do you suspect?
Hypovolemic shock
Capnomatry: What is it used for, normal/abnormal values?
- Measures exhaled CO2 from the body
- Most important parameter to be monitored during anesthesia because it reflects the effect of BOTH the respiratory and the circulatory system (used during CPR)
- Normal value: 30-35 mmHg
- May fall to 15 mmHg in resucitation, if as low as 10 or below = poor prognosis
What is BIS (bi-spectral index)?
An algorithm used to inturpret conciousness based on EEG results:
- 100%: conscious patient
- 80% = premedicated
- 60% = Anesthesia
If it remains around 60, the patient is in deep anesthesia
Indications for temperature monitoring in surgery:
- Surface temperature is important in long surgeries
- Esophageal temperature in thorax and abdominal operations
Indication of nerve simulation in surgery:
Gives you an idea of how much neuromuscular relaxants the patients need.
Definition of General Anasthesia
A reversible state of CNS depression, resulting in loss of response to and perception of external stimuli
Why do we use preanestethic medications?
They lower the dose of anesthetic required to maintain desired level of surgical anesthesia
Preanesthetic medications which can be used:
- H2-blockers: Famotidine/Ranitidine Reduce gastric acidity
- Benzodiazepines: Alprazolam/Midazolam Relieve anxiety and facilitate amnesia
- Opioids: Fentanyl Reduce postoperative pain
- Antihistamines: Diphenhydramine Avoid allergic reactions
- Antiemetics: Odansetron Prevents nausea and aspiration of stomach contents
- Anticholinergics: Glycopyrolate Prevent bradycardia and secretion of fluids into the respiratory tract











