Introduction to Anesthesia Flashcards
indications for anesthesia
- to perform certain procedures that animal may not tolerate
- most animals in zoo/wildlife medicine (safety)
- most surgical procedures (general anesthesia)
classification of anesthetic techniques
- local anesthesia
- regional anesthesia
- general anesthesia
goals of anesthesia
- ensure adequate analgesia
- ensure the patient is in the optimal state for the procedure to be performed
- ensure patient safety and survival
anesthesia definition
the loss of sensation of a particular body part or the whole body generally induced by drugs that depress the activity of the nervous system either peripherally or centrally
general anesthesia
- state of unconsciousness produced by controlled, reversible drug administration that causes inhibiton of the CNS which results in the absence of pain sensation, muscle relaxation
- overall aim to produce unconsciousness, immobility, amnesia, muscle relaxation, and analgesia
general anesthesia techniques
- induction by administrating injectable anesthetic agents
- combo of both injectable and inhalant agents to produce general anesthesia
- maintained with inhalant anesthetics, injectable anesthesia, or a combo
balanced anesthesia
- state of surgical anesthesia acheived by use of two or more drugs or anesthetic techniques, each of which contributes its own pharmacological effects
- allows for a lighter plane of anesthesia while resulting in more stable CV and pulmonary function
providing safe anesthesia includes:
- selecting appropriate drugs for each patient and the procedure
- assessing the physical status of each patient
- having a working familiarity of anesthetic drugs and their potential side effects
preanesthetic assessment of the patient:
- history
- evaluation of patient’s physical status
- metabolic and endocrine
-
physical exam
- CV, respiratory, nervous systems
ASA Physical Status Classification (ASA-PSC)
- classifies a patient based on simple descriptors of their current health status
- six categories, only five applicable to vet med
- emergency: ‘E’ is added
ASA Physical Status 1
a normal healthy patient
ex. neutering
ASA Physical Status 2
a patient with mild systemic disease
ex. minor fractures, slight dehydration
ASA Physical Status 3
a patient with severe systemic disease
ex. chronic heart disease, anemia
ASA Physical Status 4
a patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
ex. ruptured UB, closed pyometra
ASA Physical Status 5
a moribund patient who is not expected to survive wihtout the operation
ex. severe shock
