Anesthetic Complications Flashcards
What 4 things cause the majority of anesthetic complications?
- Respiratory problems
- CV problems
- Equipment problems
- Human error
What are the main types of respiratory problems?
- Apnea
- Airway obstruction
- Hypoventilation/hypercapnia
- Hypoxemia
What should you do if you realize that your patient is not breathing under anesthesia?
- Check pulse
2. Give 2-3 breaths per minute (to allow CO2 to accumulate and hopefully stimulate breathing)
What are the most common cardiac dysarhythmias?
- Ventricular premature contractions
- Bradycardia
- Second degree AV block
- Sinus tachycardia
What does a ventricular premature contraction look like on an ECG?
No P waves
Wide/bizarre QRS
What does a second degree AV block look like on an ECG?
P waves but no QRS
What drugs can you give to treat hypotension?
Give fluids- 10ml/kg over 10 minutes
Give a CRI of dopamine, dobutamine
Why is maintaining blood pressure in horses so important?
BP needs to be maintained to prevent post-anesthetic myositis
What drugs can you give to treat ventricular premature contractions?
Lidocaine
What drugs can you give to treat a second degree AV block?
If accompanied by bradycardia, give an anticholinergic
What are some indicators of impending cardiac arrest?
Severe hypotension
Hypoxemia
Dysarhythmias
What MAP indicates hypotension?
<60-70 mmHg
