GI and Liver Flashcards
Diseases of the GI system frequently result in abnormal gastric function, with potentially increased anesthetic risk caused by? (4)
- increased intragastric pressure
- delayed gastric emptying,
- gastric dilation
- increased gastric secretion.
What are the most common symptoms of GI disease? (6)
- Dysphagia – oral vs esophageal/ mechanical vs motility
- Heartburn – burning & discomfort (cardiac concerns?)
- Regurgitation – effortless return of GI content into pharynx
- Chest discomfort - may be difficult to distinguish from CP
- Odynophagia – pain with swallowing (ulcers?)
- Globus sensation – “lump in throat”
Do these symptoms warrant further workup??
What is the triad of symptoms for achalsia and what does this mean your anesthetic?
- dysphagia
- weight loss
- regurgitation
High risk of aspiration - full stomach precautions → RSI
What is common complication of achalasia?
- pulmonary aspiration with resultant:
- PNA
- lung abscess
- bronchiectasis
What are 3 common mechanisms of incompetence for GERD?
- (1) transient LES relaxation (elicited by gastric distention)
- (2) LES hypotension (average resting tone, 13 mm Hg in patients with GERD vs. 29 mm Hg in patients without GERD)
- (3) anatomic distortion of the GE junction, such as with a hiatal hernia.
- The reflux contents may include hydrochloric acid, pepsin, pancreatic enzymes, and bile.
What are the 2 most common symtpoms of GERD + additional s/s?
- 2 most common
- heartburn and regurgitation
- additional
- noncardiac chest pain
- dysphagia
- pharyngitis
- cough
- asthma
- hoarseness
When a pt has GERD, where can gastric contents reflux and what are some associated complications?
- Gastric contents may reflux into the:
- pharynx
- larynx
- tracheobronchial tree
- resulting in:
- chronic cough
- bronchoconstriction
- pharyngitis
- laryngitis
- bronchitis
- pneumonia
What is a hiatal hernia and what are the associated symptoms?
- Herniation of part of the stomach into the thoracic cavity through the esophageal hiatus in the diaphragm
- may be asymptomatic
- if symptomatic, may have heartburn and abd discomfort
Anesthetic considerations of patients with a hiatal hernia?
- MAY be an apiration risk
- may be taking PPIs and antacids
- SE + drug interactions
What is PUD ans what are associated symptoms?
- Ulcers in the mucosal lining of the stomach or duodenum
- burning epigastric pain exacerbated by fasting and improved with meal consumption is the typical symptom complex
- Link between H. pylori and PUD - inc. acid secretion
Regarding PUD, what are the risk factors associated with death?
- Bleeding
- peritonitis
- dehydration
- perforation
- sepsis
- *****especially in elderly debilitated or malnourished patients*****
What are typical treatments for PUD?
- Antacids
- PPIs
- H2 Receptor Antagonists
- Prostaglandin Analogues
- Cytoprotective agents
- surgical repair (if symptoms bad enough)
How does Crohn’s disease typically present?
- Usually presents as:
- acute or chronic bowel inflammation
- penetrating-fistulous pattern
- an obstructing pattern
For crohn’s disease, what is the most common site of inflammation and typical s/s?
- Most common site of inflammation is the terminal ileum
- s/s
- recurrent episodes of right lower quadrant pain
- diarrhea
- weight loss
- obstruction, stricture/ fistula formation
- nutritional deficiencies
- causing hypoalbuminemia
- hypocalcemia
- hypomagnesemia
- coagulopathy
- hyperoxaluria with nephrolithiasis
What kinds of surgeries migh we expect for a pt with crohns disease?
- cannot be cured by surgical resection
- complications of Crohn’s disease may require surgery
- Most common surgery is resection of an area of small intestine involved in a fistula or obstruction
What are the medical treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases?
- 5-Acetylsalicylic acid (5-ASA) is the mainstay of therapy
- Oral or parenteral glucocorticoids (Prednisone)
- Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine
- Methotrexate
- Cyclosporine
- Tacrolimus
- Infliximab- anti–tumor necrosis factor antibodies
- Natalizumab- immunoglobulin antibody
- antidiarrheal agents
Ulcerative colitis affects which part of the bowel?
- Mucosal disease involving the rectum and extending proximally to involve part or all of the colon
What are major s/s of ulcerative colitis?
- Major s/s
- diarrhea
- rectal bleeding
- tenesmus
- passage of mucus
- crampy abdominal pain
- severe dx:
- anorexia
- nausea, vomiting
- fever
- weight loss
- 1%- severe hemorrhage
- Perforation of the colon - most dangerous complication
What types of surgeries might we expect to see in someone with ulcerative colitis?
- Nearly 1/2 of patients with extensive chronic UC undergo surgery within the first 10 years of their illness
- Severe dx: total proctocolectomy and end ileostomy
- Total proctocolectomy can be a curative procedure in ulcerative colitis
Malnutrition is associated with what complications? (5)
- Prolonged hospital stays
- Wound infection
- Abscess
- Respiratory failure
- Death
What are 3 values that prompt referral for nutritional assessment?
- BMI value less than 18.5 kg/m 2
- Serum albumin concentration less than 30 g/L (in the absence of hepatic or renal dysfunction)
- Weight loss of greater than 10% in last 6 months
What is a carcinoid tumor?
When and where are they found?
- Originate from the GI tract most of the time & can occur in almost any GI tissue
- Typically secrete GI peptides and/or vasoactive substances
- Often found incidentally during surgery for suspected appendicitis
- Symptoms are often vague, so the diagnosis is often delayed
What are symptoms of a carcinioid tumor in the small intestine, rectum, bronchus, thymus, ovaries, and liver?
- Small intestine: abdominal pain, obstruction, tumor, GI bleed
- Rectum: bleeding, constipation, diarrhea
- Bronchus: usually asymptomatic
- Thymus: anterior mediastinal mass
- Ovaries & testicles: mass
- Liver: METs, presents as hepatomegaly
What are the most common signs of carcinoid tumors + additional s/s?
- Most common signs:
- flushing and diarrhea (with the associated dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities)
- Occasionally associated with pruritus, tearing, diarrhea, or facial edema
- Hypotension and hypertension
- bronchoconstriction
- cardiac manifestations resulting from endocardial fibrosis (right heart, not left heart, because lungs are often able to clear these substances before they get to the left heart)
What is carcinoid crisis and what are the s/s?
- Potentially life-threatening complication of carcinoid syndrome
- Signs:
- intense flushing
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- and CV signs including tachycardia, hypertension, or hypotension
- If not adequately treated, it can be fatal
What are anesthetic drugs that can precipitate carcinoid crisis?
- Succinylcholine, mivacurium, atracurium, tubocurarine
- Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, isoproterenol, thiopental
The diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome relies on which measurements?
- measurement of urinary or plasma serotonin concentrations or measurement of serotonin metabolites in the urine (5-HIAA)
How do we decide on pre op testing for carcinoid tumors?
- pre op tests are guided by physcial findings
- Preoperative assessment should include CBC, electrolytes, LFTs, BG, EKG (echo if indicated), and determination of urine 5-HIAA levels.
What are the treatments and management of symptoms for carcinoid tumors?
- Avoiding conditions that precipitate flushing
- treating heart failure and/or wheezing
- providing dietary supplementation with nicotinamide, and controlling diarrhea
- Somatostatin, octreotide, lanreotide
- Bronchoconstriction: octreotide and histamine blockers combined with ipratropium
- Surgery is the only potentially curative therapy for nonmetastatic carcinoid tumors
What is pancreatitis?
- Loss of any of protective mechanisms w/in pancreas leads to enzyme activation, autodigestion, and acute pancreatitis
What are causative factors of pancreatitis?
- Gallstones and alcohol abuse (60-80%)
- AIDS and those with hyperparathyroidism
- trauma-induced
- Abdominal and other noncardiac surgery and after cardiac surgery
What are symptoms of pancreatitis?
- Excruciating, unrelenting mid-epigastric pain that radiates to the back - worse when supine
- N & V
- Abdominal distention
- Low-grade fever, hypotension, tachycardia
- Shock may occur
What are some complications associated with acute pancreatitis?
- 25% of patients who develop acute pancreatitis experience significant complications
- Shock
- Hypotension- sequestration of large volumes of fluid in the peripancreatic space, hemorrhage, and systemic vasodilation
- Arterial hypoxemia - ARDS in 20%
- Renal failure - poor prognosis
- GI hemorrhage & coagulation defects - DIC
- Abscess formation
What is the TX of acute pancreatitis?
- usually based on supportive therapy, potential ICU with invasive monitoring
- Aggressive intravenous fluid administration
- may be on pressors - consider if implications if pt comes to OR
- Opioids are administered to manage the severe pain
- Nasogastric suction
- Endoscopic removal of obstructing gallstones
- Drainage of intraabdominal collections of fluids or necrotic material
What are some important considerations in the GI hx?
- Does the patient have :
- Nutritional deficiency
- Weight loss greater than 10% in last 6 months
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Occult blood loss
- Overt GI bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- assess current level
- assess current meds
- RA great in this population
- Abdominal distention
- aspiration risk
- Abdominal masses
- Dysphagia
- Gastric hyperacidity with or without reflux
- Epigastric pain
List current NPO guidelines for “healthy patients.”
- No chewing gum or candy after midnight
- Clear liquids up to 2 hours before OR
- Breast milk up to 4 hours before OR
- Light meal, milk, formula up to 6 hours before OR
- Fatty foods, fried foods, meats 8 hours or more
- Sip of water or liquid pre-med up to 1 hour before OR
Which patient populations are considered aspiration risk?
- Extremes of age <1 yr or >70 yr
- Prematurity
- Ascites (ESLD)
- Collagen vascular disease, metabolic disorders (Diabetes, obesity, ESRD, hypothyroid)
- Hiatal Hernia/GERD/Esophageal disorders
- Mechanical obstruction (pyloric stenosis, intestinal obstruction)
- Pregnancy- treated as if they have “full stomach”
- Neurologic diseases
- Morbid obesity
- Severe pain/ anxiety
- Eaten food
- Emergency surgery
- Positioning (lithotomy)
What is Mendelson syndrome?
What are risk factors?
How does It manifest clinically?
- Chemical pneumonitis or aspiration pneumonitis caused by aspiration during anesthesia
- Characterized according to
- pH
- Volume
- Gastric material aspirated
- Historically, patient at risk if:
- pH less than 2.5
- Gastric volume of > 25 ml (0.4 ml/kg)
- Clinically manifests as:
- about 2 - 5 hrs post anesthesia
- hypoxia
- Respiratory distress with bronchospasm
- cyanosis
- tachycardia with hypotension
- dyspnea from irritating action of hydrochloric acid and particulate material which are damaging to the lungs