Intravenous anaesthetic agents Flashcards
What is the mechanism of action of general anaesthetic agents. Draw a GABA receptor to illustrate this and the differential binding sites.
Allosteric modulation of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter receptors.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
- GABA
- Glycine
Excitatory neurotransmitters
- NMDA
- Neuronal acetylcholinesterase
Drawing:
Central Cl pore
5 subunits: beta - alpha - beta - alpha - gamma (clockwise from 12 o clock)
Benzo’s bind alpha-gamma interface
Volatiles bind 1st alpha subunit
GABA itself binds at the two alpha-beta interfaces.
With regard to allosteric modulation of neurotransmitters, describe the effect of the following agents on the inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter receptors:
Propofol Thiopental R-etomidate S-etomidate Ketamine Isoflurane N2O Xenon
Propofol, Thiopental and Isoflurane
Potentiate GABA and Glycine: ++++
Inhibit Ach: -
Ketamine, N2O and Xenon
Inhibit NMDA receptor (glutamate ntmtr): -
R-etomidate: potentiates GABA: ++++
S-etomidate: does nothing
Which general anaesthetic agent supports the protein based mechanism of action of anaesthetics (rather than the lipid solubility or molecular theory mechanisms)?
R-etomidate: potentiates GABA: ++++
S-etomidate: does nothing
Both equally lipid soluble
Do inhaled or intravenous GA agents produce more immobility and why
Volatile agents –> spinal cord is a more important binding site for volatile agents versus IV agents –> more immobility
What is the name of the neurotransmitter that stimulates the NMDA receptor and what is this receptor predominantly involved with? Are there other substances that modulate and inhibit it?
Glutamate
NMDA receptor: learning and memory
Magnesium modulates
Ketamine/N2O/Xenon inhibit it
Describe the Meyer-Overton principle. Draw and label the graph.
Early 20th century Meyer and Overton independently described a linear correlation between lipid solubility and potency of anaesthetic agents.
At the time this suggested a non-specific mechanism of action based on this physico-chemical property.
Graph:
X - axis is LOG Oil: Gas (index of lipid solubility)
Y - axis is MAC: MAC = ± 1/Potency
Inverse relationship straight line graph Left to right and top to bottom: Agent (Oil gas : MAC) 1. N20 (1.4 ; 105) 2. Xenon (1.9 ; 71) 3. Desflurane (29 ; 6.6) 4. Sevoflurane (80; 2.0) 5. Enflurane (98 ;1.68) 6. Isoflurane (98 ; 1.17) 7. Halothane (224 ; 0.75) 8. Methoxyflurane (950 ; 0.16)
Define intravenous anaesthetic
Agents that will induce loss of consciousness in one arm - brain circulation time.
List the 15 most important factors for an ideal anaesthetic agent
- Rapid on (unionized @ phys. pH)
- Rapid off with no accumulation during long infusion
- Potent (High O:G - low dose rqrd.)
- Analgaesic @ subanaesthetic doses
Think of all the adverse effects of induction agents:
- Minimal CVS/RSP depression (Prop/Thio)
- No emesis (Etomidate)
- No pain on injection (Prop)
- No excitation or emergence phenomena
- No toxic effects or hypersensitivity reactions
- No drug interactions
- No histamine release
- Inexpensive
- Water soluble
- Long shelf life at room temperature
15.
Classify the currently used IV induction agents
Barbiturates: Thiopental
Non-barbiturates: Propofol, Ketamine, Etomidate
Describe and substantiate the preparation of thiopental
SODIUM THIOPENTAL
- 2.5% solution
- Bright yellow powder
- Required in water soluble ‘enol’ form for storage and administration. Therefore pH as high as possible for this. Vial contains:
- Sodium carbonate –> pH 10.5 favouring H2O soluble ‘enol’ form which is more desirable as a preparation
- Nitrogen instead of air. Air contains CO2 –> reaction with water to reduce pH –> less alkaline and negate above effect.
- After injection into physiological pH the lipid solubility ‘keto’ form of the drug increases –> permitting rapid access to the target site.
Describe Thiopental: P1 DODSS P2 MMVI TBC
Preparation Dose Onset Duration Specifics Systems
Protein bound and percent unionized (pKa) Metabolism Metabolites Volume distribution Interactions
Telimination
Bioavailability
Clearance
Preparation: Weak acid. Yellow powder + Na2CO3 + N2 (not air)
Dose: 3 - 7 mg/kg
Onset: 30 - 60 seconds
Duration: 5 - 10 minutes
Specifics:
1. TAUTOMERISM: stored pH 10.5 - ‘enol’ tautomer which is water soluble –> into plasma pH 7.4 becomes lipid soluble to enter effect site.
2. PORPHYRIA
3. INTRA-ARTERIAL INJXN –> to pH 7.4 –> keto form –> no longer water soluble crystals accumulate arterioles/capillaries –> ischaemia (in veins continuous arrival of new venous blood). Rx: immediate intra-arterial of PAPAVERINE, Analgaesia, SNS block of limb and anticoagulation.
4. Low doses: antalgaesic
Systems:
CNS - GA. Reduced: CMRO2, CBF, ICP.
CVS - Reduced: CO, SV, SVR. Increased HR (reflex)
RSP - Depression. Laryngospasm. Bronchospasm. RR down.
RENAL - CNS depression –> increased ADH. Reduced cardiac output –> reduced UO.
EYES - Decreased IOP
Pain injection: No
GIT: No N/V
Plasma binding: 80%
Percent unionized 60% (pKa = 7.6)
Mechanism: Allosteric modulation and potentiation of GABA and Glycine receptors; inhibition of neuronal ACh receptors.
Metabolism: Hepatic oxidation. As infusion may go from first order to zero order. CYP450 induced.
Metabolites: Active.
Vd: 2.5 ml/kg
Interactions: NSAIDS - reduce vailable protein binding sites
Telimination: ±10 hrs
Bioavailability: -
Clearance: 3.5 ml/kg/min
Define Tautomerism
The dynamic interchange between 2 different forms of molecular structure depending on the environmental conditions
How much thiopental is free to work at the target site? How does it bring about its effect despite this?
Protein bound 80%
Free drug = 20%
Thiopental is a weak acid
pKa = 7.6 SO 60% of FREE drug is unionized
Of 20% free drug 60% is unionized and can move to target site. 60% of 20% = 12%
So 12 % of administered dose is available to enter target site.
Despite this, high lipid solubility + high CO to brain –> rapid onset.
Weak acids ionize at pH ______ their pKa
Weak bases ionize at pH ______ their pKa
Above
Below
How should the dose of thiopental be altered in critically ill patients and why?
Critically ill –> acidosis + reduced plasma protein binding (hypoalbuminaemia)–> more unionized unbound drug present –> LESS thiopental required.