Gastric Physiology (Emesis, Histamine, Acid) Flashcards
Define nausea
the sensation of needing to vomit
define vomiting
the involuntary, forceful expulsion of gastric contents via the mouth
Describe the physiology of vomiting
Complex action with multiple afferent and efferent pathways but all interact with the vomiting centre in the medulla.
- CTZ in the floor of the fourth ventricle - outside the BBB. Contains D2, 5 HT3 (serotonin) receptors. Provides efferent input to the vomiting centre in the medulla.
- Vestibular system
- Pain pathways
- Intestinal chemoreceptors.
- Cerebral cortex
Describe the process of vomiting
- PRE-EJECTION PHASE
- nausea
- sympathetic stimulation (tachycardia, sweating)
- parasympathetic stimulation (lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation, salivation, retrograde contraction of small bowels) - EJECTION PHASE
- cease respiration
- glottis closes
- soft palate elevates to close nasopharynx
- diaphragm and abdo muscles contract - rise in intragastric pressure
- gastro-oesophageal sphincter opens
- ejection gastric contents
What the potential complications of vomiting?
Aspiration
Wound dehiscence
electrolyte imbalance
dehydration
elevated intra-ocular and intracranial pressure
What are the main risk factors for PONV?
Three categories:
PATIENT - female, smoker, previous PONV, motion sickness
ANAESTHETIC - N2O, opiates, etomidate, neostigmine, hypotension
SURGICAL - middle ear surgery, ophthalmic surgery (esp squint correction), gynaecology
Which receptors are involved in the stimulation of nausea and vomiting?
Histamine (H1)
Muscarinic (mAchR)
Serotonergic
Dopaminergic
Opioid
a1 and a2 adrenoreceptors
Stimulation of any of these receptors can lead to activation of vomiting centre.
What measures can you take to reduce PONV?
PRE OPERATIVE - pre-asssessment, use of benzodiazepine for anxiety, pre-hydration, limiting starvation time.
INTRAOPERATIVE - maintain hydration and BP, avoid nitrous oxide, TIVA. Analgaesia (using regional techniques reduce opioid requirement/ volatile requirements), pre-emptive anti-emetics
POST OPERATIVE - prescribe antiemetics for use acutely, continue to control analgaesia
What are the main receptor sites of action for anti-emetics?
RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS:
1. HISTAMINE:
- antihistamines target H1 in CNS. ie. Cyclizine
2. MUSCARINIC/ anticholinergic:
- hysocine and atropine. Act on mAchR in the GIT. Antispasmodic, decrease salivation/ gastric secretions. Effective for opioid induced PONV.
3. DOPAMINERGIC:
- ie metoclopramide, domperidone, phenothiazines
- CTZ and GIT targeted
- *4. 5-HT3:**
- ie. ondansetron, granisetron
- 5-ht3 abundant in CTZ and GIT
- effective in PONV and chemotherapy induced vomiting.
Others: Steroids, Propofol, Benzodiazepine, Neurokinin-1-receptor antagonist, cannabinoids, acupuncture.
Which drugs increase gastric motility?
Metoclopramide
Erythromycin
Domperidone
Neostigmine
Which drugs inhibit gastric motility?
Antimuscarinic drugs - decrease parasympathetic tone in GIT, by antagonising M3 receptor
Opioids - agonist at MOP receptors in myenteric plexus. Stimulation causes hyperpolarisation of cells, reducing stomach emptying/ gut motility, increases intestinal transit time.
Discuss Cyclizine
Class: Antihistamine
Form: Tablet and solution, PO or IV
Dose: 50mg 8 hourly
MOA: Competitive antagonist at H1 and muscarinic receptors.
Use: Antiemetic/ Menieres Disease
Effects:
GI - lowers oesophageal sphincter tone
CVS - tachycardia
Other - pain on injection because pH 3.2, mild sedation
Absorbtion/Distrib. : PO Bioavailability 75%, t½ - 10 hours
Metabolism: Hepatic metab, decrease does in liver failure, renal excretion
Discuss Ondansetron
CLASS: Carbazole
FORM: tablet/ solution
DOSE: 4-8mg 8 hourly, 0.1mg/kg 8 hourly children
MOA: Antagonises peripheral 5-HT3 receptors
USES: antiemetic motion sickness, PONV, chemo
EFFECTS:
GI - constipation
CNS - headache
CVS - bradycardia, flushing, caution in prolonged QT. Dose dependent prolongation of QT intervals, cardiac arrhythmias including TDP
ABSORB/DISTRIB: PO bioavailability 60%, t½ - 3 hours
METAB/ EXCRET: hepatic metab, reduce in hepatic failure, renal excretion.
Discuss metaclopramide
CLASS - Benzamine
FORM - Tablet/ slow release capsules/ syrup/ solution
DOSE - 10mg 8 hourly
MOA: Antagonises D2 receptor at CTZ + muscarinic receptor GIT
USES: antiemetic, prokinetic
EFFECTS:
GI - increased tone LOS, decrease pyloric tone, prokinetic
CNS - cross BBB, extrapyramidal effects, oculogyric crisis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, sedation, agitation
CVS - hypotension, tachycardia
ENDOCRINE - increase prolactin causing gynaecomastia, galactorrheoa, percipitates porphyria
ABSORB/ DISTRIB: PO bioavailability, significant first pass metabolism
METAB/ EXCRETION: hepatic metab, excreted in urine.
Discuss prochloperazine
CLASS: phenothiazine
FORM: tablets, syrup, suppositories, solution
DOSE: 5-20mg 8-12 hourly
MOA: antagonises D2 receptors
USES: N+V, vertigo and motion sickness, psychosis, pre-medication
EFFECTS:
CNS - extrapyramidal, acute dystonias and akathesia (in young), sedating
GI - cholestatic jaundice
OTHER - haematological abnormalities, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, pruritis, increase prolactin
ABSORB/ DISTRIB: low oral bioavailability, significant first pass metabolism
METAB/ EXCRETION: hepatic metabolism, bile + urine excretion