Drugs used in an emergency Flashcards
What is the definition of hypotension for healthy patients otherwise undergoing an uncomplicated anaesthetic?
85mmHg
Hypotension, Rash and bronchospasm??
Suspect anaphylaxis
How is the definition of hypotension different for patients with significant CVS disease?
Significant hypotension may be present at a higher systolic BP
What is the most common side effects of IV and general anaesthetic agents?
Hypotension
Give an example of a directly acting and an indirectly acting sympathomimmetic
Direct: phenylephrine
Indirect: Ephedrine
Which anticholinergic drug can be used for simple hypotension?
Atropine and glycopyrrolate
When would an anticholinergic considered for the treatment of hypotension?
When it is associated with pronounced bradycardia
Discuss the presentation and preparation of ephidrine
1 ml glass ampoule with 30mg Ephidrine
Preparation: 9ml saline plus 1 ml ephidrine in 10 ml syrinage = 3mg/ml
What is the dose of ephidrine and at what dose do the effects become less pronounced
3-6 mg (1ml) bolus doses are titrated to effect
Effects become less pronounced beyond the total dose of 30mg
What is the mode of action of ephidrine
Ephidrine causes release of NA from SNS nerve terminals, which then stimulates adrenoreceptors non-specifically
TACHYPHYLAXIS is seen as a result of depletion of noradrenalin stores
Ephidrine also has a weak direct effect on adrenoreceptors
What are the effects of ephidrine
Non-specific activation of alpha and beta receptors cause increase CO and increase SVR –> increase in BP
How long do the CVS effects last
a few minutes (Google says 1 hour)
When is ephidrine used?
Modest hypotension with normal or slow heart rate
What is the presentation and preparation of phenylephrine?
10mg/ml –> add to 100 ml of 0.9% NaCl –> 100ug/ml
What is the dose of phenylephrine
50 - 100 ug titrated to effect
What is the mode of action of phenylephrine
Acts directly on alpha receptors –> no effect on beta receptors
What are the effects of phenylephrine?
alpha 1 stimulation –> vasconstriction and increased SVR
What are the side effects of phenylephrine?
Reflex bradycardia due to increased SVR and no beta receptor stimulation
What is phenylephrine used for
Severe hypotension with normal or FAST heart rate
What is the presentation and preparation of mataraminol
10mg/ml. Dilute to 20 ml syringe with NaCl 0.9%. 0.5 mg/ml
What is the dose of metaraminol
0.5 mg bolus doses titrated to effect
What is the mode of action and effects ofmetaraminol
Same as phenylephrine with minimal effects on beta-adrenoreceptors
What is the use of metaraminol
Same as phenylephrine: hypotension and normal or fast heart rate
What are the most common causes of intra-operative bradycardia (rate<50)?
Vagal stimulation
Combination of well beta blocked patient and a general anaesthetic
Severe hypoxia
How does vagal stimulation occur
Stretching or pulling of any part of the airway or gut that is innervated by the vagus nerve.
Stimulation of
1. Inferior surface of the epigottis
2. Pneumoperitoneum (esp. higher pressures)
3. Manipulation of bowel
Apart from vagus stimulation, stimulation of what other nerves may cause bradycardia
Traction on structures innervated by the sacral parasympathetic outflow (GUS)
What is the treatment of intraoperative bradycardia
- Remove the stimulus
- Treat pharmacologically –> allowing the stimulus to be repeated if required.
If bradycardia is recurrent an delaying surgery, pharmacological treatment may be needed.