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)



