General Anaesthesia Flashcards
Name the 2 broad groups and agents of iv induction agents (7)
• Barbiturates: sodium thiopentone
• non-barbiturates: propofol, etomidate, ketamine, benzodiazepines
Indications of sodium thiopentone (4)
Rapid (-30 seconds) induction but no analgesia.
Control convulsions in eclampsia and epilepsy
Electro-convulsive therapy
Sustained titrations in head injury patients who have raised ICP and are being ventilated in ICU
Best for emergency C/S that need GA (awake to stage 3 in 30s)
Name 6 effects sodium thiopentone has on the CNS
• most Rapid induction:one arm-brain circulation time, about 30 seconds (due to acidic nature, causing more unionised free fraction to cross BBB)
• sedation, hypnosis, anticonvulsant (analogue of phenobarbitrone )
• decreased intracranial pressure (vasoconstriction - decreased blood flow)
• cerebral oxygen consumption rate (CMRO2) decreased. Protect in focal ischaemia, not global
• analgesic in small dose
• decrease intraocular pressure
Name 2 effects sodium thiopentone has on the respiratory system
• Resp depression - hypoventilation. Apnoea 2-3 min
• excitatory effect on upper airway structures causing cough, hiccups laryngospasm, bronchospasm, especially when attempting to place airway devices
Name 2 effects sodium thiopentone has on the CVS
• Decreased cardiac output due to peripheral vasodilation and depression of contractility
• leading to hypotension especially in patients with fixed cardiac output
• intra-arterial and extravenous injection- never use stronger than 2.5%!
Name 2 effects sodium thiopentone has on the eyes
• Initially mydriasis then miosis
• decreased intra-ocular pressure
Name 1 effects sodium thiopentone has on the uterus
Crosses placental barrier shortly after iv induction
Hypoxia and acidosis fetus
Name 6 advantages of using sodium thiopentone for induction
• Pleasant, rapid induction <30 s
• absence delirious phase
• rapid recovery
• No nausea
• reliable
• Cheap
Name 5 side effects of sodium thiopentone
- Intra-arterial injection
- Respiratory depression (apnoea)
- Myocardial contractility depression (bradycardia.)
- Vasodilation (hypotension)
5-anaphylaxis type 1
Also local nerve damage, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, hiccups, cough,
Half life too long 8 hours
Name 4 absolute contraindications to sodium thiopentone
- Porphyria variegata (precipitate attack )
- Fixed cardiac output states eg constrictive pericarditis!
- Airway obstruction
4 severe shock
Adrenal insufficiency
Also previous allergy, endocrine diseases eg hypothyroid , Addison’s
Name 4 immediate signs of intra- arterial injection of sodium thiopentone
1 white hand
2. Intense burning pain
3. Areas of skin discolouration
4 - delayed induction (>30s)
Name 4 late signs of intra- arterial injection of sodium thiopentone
- oedema
- Blisters and ulceration
- Gangrene.
4 loss limb
How to treat intra-arterial injection of thiopentone? (6)
- Stop injecting and don’t remove cannula
- Flush with iv fluids to dilute STP
- Lignocaine to decrease burning
- NB prevention: iv heparin to prevent clotting of artery thrombosis
- Papaverine = antidote: vasodilation or
- Brachial plexus or stellate ganglion block (sympatholysis) (reduced vasoconstriction)
Name 6 effects of propofol on the CNS
- Mainly hypnotic (occur in 1 brain-arm circulation time) but no analgesia.
- Subhypnotic doses provide sedation and amnesia , anticonvulsant
- Hallucinations and opisthotonus!
- Decreased ICP
- Decrease cerebral perfusion pressure and CMRO2 (less than thiopentone )
- Lower intra ocular pressure
Name 2 resp effects of propofol
• Hypoventilation and apnea >30 s, greater than other induction agents. RR less for at least 2 min, minute volume lowered as long as 4 min.
• Decreased sensitivity of upper airway - decreased reflexes so can intubate with propofol use only. Best for LMA.
Name CVS effects of propofol (3)
• Decrease bp quite severely (due to decreased systemic vascular resistance , cardiac output and L ventricular stroke index) (block pressure sensors aortic arch)therefore
• decreased pre- and after-load (vasodilation and myocardial depression)
• decrease myocardial oxygen consumption and lower myocardial blood flow
Heart rate constant!
Cardiotoxic.
Name the advantages of using propofol (7)
• Ideal for TIVA :short elimination half life
• ideal agent for conscious sedation
• Good intubating conditions and early placement of laryngeal mask
• safe in malignant hyperthermia and porphyria ( not thiopentone ).
• pleasant induction
• pleasant recovery without nausea/hangover - antiemetic!
• anti-pruritic
• anxiolytic, amnesia
• erection?
Name 7 side effects of propofol
- Pain on injection (add opioid or lignocaine and use large vein with fast running drip ) (due to long chain fatty acids)
2.apnoea - Decreased bp
4 thrombophlebitis - Anaphylaxis
- Myoclonus, opisthotonos
- Propofol infusion syndrome PRIS (prolonged use)
Convulsions and delayed recovery have been reported but are controversial
Bacteria like to breed in it. Need to use within 6h of opening
Name the 7 CNS effects of etomidate
- Primarily hypnotic (1 arm-brain circ time), no analgesia
- Decrease intracranial pressure
- Decrease cerebral blood flow
4- lower CMRO2 - Cerebral perfusion pressure well maintained!
- High incidence myoclonic movements!
- EEG ass with grand mal epilepsy!
Name 4 respiratory effects of etomidate
- Post-induction brief period of hyperventilation! At times followed by apnea
- High incidence cough and hiccups! Before hypnosis
- Ventilator response to raised co2 diminished
- Safe in asthmatics as it doesn’t release histamine and cause bronchospasm (unlike thiopentone)
Name CVS effects of etomidate (3)
• No hypotension!
• No myocardial depression! Minimal increase in hr.
• myocardial oxygen supply/ demand ratio well maintained
Name endocrine effects of etomidate (2)
Inhibits synthesis of adrenal gland hormones
• decreased cortisol after single and cont infusion (careful in major trauma, sepsis etc that are dependent on stress hormones!)
• decreased mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) if used solely as induction agent
By 11 beta hydroxylase and 17 alpha inhibition. Lasts for 8 hours after single bolus. Vit c restore cortisol to normal levels.
Problem with TIVA and sole agent induction!
What is the induction agent of choice in healthy patients?
Propofol
What is the induction agent of choice in the poor risk cardiac patients?
Etomidate
Name advantages of using etomidate? (4)
• No CVS effects
• safe for asthmatics
• rapid induction
• rapid smooth recovery
Name side effects of etomidate (7)
• Severe pain on injection!
• Myoclonic movements!
• nausea and vomiting!
• adrenal hormones synthesis inhibition - may precipitate Addison’s crisis
• venous irritation or thrombophlebitis
• possible seizures
• expensive
Intra- arterial injection no pathology
Brand bewe braak bynier Baie duur
Which 2 benzodiazepines can be used for induction?
Diazepam and midazolam (better)
LorazePam most potent
Why are benzodiazepines not ideal for induction? (3)
• Big differences in individual metabolism between patients
• large doses needed for anaesthesia leading to prolonged effect
• active metabolites further prolong effects
Name 3 CNS effects of benzodiazepines
• Sedation, hypnosis, anxiolysis!, amnesia, central muscle relaxation
• Anti-convulsant
• lowers CMRO2 and cerebral blood flow (less brain protection than thiopentone)
Name resp effect of benzodiazepines
Dose dependent respiratory depression, exaggerated in COAD patients and elderly. Midazolam > diazepam. Later onset (after 3 min) and sustained for about 15 min, but apnea less common than other agents
Synergistic action when used with opiate
Name cardiovascular effect of benzodiazepines
None really, slight hypotension. Worse if add opioid. Good for cardiac patients
Name four side effects of benzodiazepines
- Inter-individual variation extreme
- Thrombophlebitis with diazepam and lorazepam
- Prolonged post-op amnesia, sedation, resp depression especially if combined with opioid.
- Synergism occurs with induction agents, opioids, sedatives in combination with benzos to give severe resp depression and hypotension.
What drug can be used to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines? (Especially respiratory depression)
Flumazenil (anexate) 0, 1 mg boluses
What, in simple terms, makes the moa of ketamine so different to the other induction agents?
Act on NMDA receptor in brain (ca channel blocker), not GABAa receptor (cl channel opener ). Cause dissociative anaesthesia (conscious but fully amnesic and insensitive to pain), cataleptic
Very large therapeutic index and can administer any route
Name the effects of ketamine on the CNS (7)
• Complete analgesia!
• increased cerebral metabolism
• increase CMRO 2
• increase cerebral blood flow
• increase ICP! And IOP
• Petite mal activity on EEG
• delirium/excitement phenomena post-op: hallucinations, dreams! Floating sensation etc
• cataleptic
• dissociation.
• nystagmus
Name respiratory effects ketamine (4)
• apnea only sometimes with very high doses
• very good bronchodilator (sympathomimetic)
• Reflexes eg cough, swallowing etc well maintained so no need for airway device - protect and can breathe spontaneously
• hyper salivation! May cause obstruction/silent aspiration; some may laryngospasm
• increased skeletal muscle tone
Blunt response to hypercarbia and hypoxia so keep an eye on it
Normal ventilator response to Co maintained
Name cardiovascular effects ketamine (3)
• Releases noradrenaline centrally causing hypertension, tachycardia, increased cardiac output but eventually cardiac depression once catecholamines stores are depleted!
• inhibit neuronal uptake of catecholamines and increase its release
• direct negative inotropic effects in vitro and directly once catecholamines depleted causing cardiac depression
Good for poor cardiac function patients or hypovolemic shock!
Name the benefits/ indications of ketamine (6)
• Sole agent in short procedures
• induction in poor risk patients: cardiac camponade or constrictive pericarditis
• emergencies
• analgesia
• asthma
• children minor procedures and with congen heart disease
Etc