Intraoperative Support and Care Flashcards
17.2.14
What are the two main forms of side effects associated with anaesthesia? Give examples of the latter.
- Cardiovascular and respiratory depression
2. Obtunded homeostatic mechanisms: baroreceptor reflex, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, thermal regulation
Define Homeostasis
The ability of an animal to maintain physiological stability in the face of constantly changing environmental factors which may be internal or external
In which species is cardiovascular and respiratory depression most marked?
Horses
What factors influence the extent to which homeostatic mechanisms are Obtunded during anaesthesia?
Depth, drugs used, underlying health status
What is the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction reflex?
Blood diverted to oxygenated areas of the lungs (cf. all other organs in the body.)
Outline three things to be aware of regarding the general care of an anaesthetised animal.
- Positioning - especially thin and arthritic animals. Minimise ischemia to extremities.
- Nursing care - moving the animal carefully etc.
- Eye and tongue moistening
What physiological variables can be measured during anaesthesia?
- breathing: rate, depth, character
- heart: rate and rhythm
- pulse: rate, rhythm, sync with heart beat?
- blood pressure: arterial and central venous
- haemoglobin oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry)
- inspired/expired gas concentrations.
- temperature: core and periphery
- urine output and specific gravity *
- blood: haematology (PCV, Hb, TB, platelets, coag times) biochem, electrolytes, blood gases (arterial and venous) *
- why is urine output an unreliable variable to measure during surgery?
^ADH leads to vUrine output (something to do with drugs?)
*In which type of surgeries are blood has analyses particularly useful?
Chest surgeries
Equine surgery
In blood transfusions, why may electrolyte imbalances occur?
Citrate anticoagulant is also transfused - this binds with Ca2+ -> v[Ca2+]
What is the main aim of anaesthesia? How is this calculated?
Maintain tissue oxygen delivery.
Oxygen delivery = arterial oxygen content x cardiac output
What basic parameters should you check if experiencing difficulties?
A airway
B breathing
C circulation
When may respiratory support be required?
Maintain blood oxygen content by avoiding
- hypoventilation
- hypoxeamia
- hypercapnia
Define hypoxeamia.
Arterial PO2 < 60mmHg
SpO2 < 90%
What may cause hypoxeamia?
vFiO2 Hypoventilation V/Q mismatch CV depression Anaemia (does NOT affect PO2/SpO2, therefore hypoxia NOT hypoxeamia) Increased O2 demand eg. Pyrexia or ^BMR
Define hypercapnia.
Blood CO2 should be 35-45mmHg
What may cause hypercapnia?
Hypoventilation
Rebreathing exhaled gas
^BMR
V/Q mismatch(?)
What does hypercapnia lead to?
Tachycardia Hypertension Cardiac arrythmias Increased intracranial pressure CV depression at very high levels Respiratory acidosis
How can cases of hypercapnia and hypoxeamia be treated?
Check anaesthetic depth isn't too deep Check airway Increase FiO2 if possible Ensure no rebreathing Ventilate using IPPV * Consider using albuterol (Ventolin) in horses (bronchodilator)
What is IPPV?
Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
What causes inspiration and expiration?
INTRAPLEURAL PRESSURE REMAINS NEGATIVE THROUGHOUT THE CYCLE# *
Inspiration: expansion of the thorax generates negative intrapleural pressure
Expiration: intrapleural pressure rises as thorax contracts
- why is negative thoracic pressure necessary?
Thoracic pump and cardiac output normal function
What are the negative effects of IPPV?
Intrapleural pressure remains > 0 throughout cycle
Decreased venous return through thoracic pump -> vCO *
- In which scenarios are the negative effects of IPPV worst?
High pressures/long inspiratory times
Hypovoleamia
Heart failure
What are the guideline values for IPPV?
Tidal volume: 10-15ml/kg
Rate: 10-12 breaths/min
Inspiratory:expiratory ratio (I:E) 1:2 or 1:3
End tidal CO2 35-45mmHg
Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP): <5cmH2O*
- when is PEEP used?
During thoracotomy
To prevent atelectasis