Respiratory & Cardiovascular problems Flashcards
the rate at which hypoxaemia develops is dependent on the:
- Adequacy of ventilation
- Effectiveness of gas exchange
- Metabolism (O2 consumption and CO2 production)
- O2 reserve (FRC volume and composition)
Describe an approach to intra-operative hypoxaemia
CHECK PATIENT
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Disability - depth of anaesthesia
CHECK MACHINE AND EQUIPMENT
- FGF and FiO2
- Manual ventilation
- Monitors: FiO2, ETCO2, SpO2, ETCO2 morphology
- IPPV mode and settings check
- Check airway pressure and flow monitoring
Describe 4 important changes to capnograph tracing
- Absent trace - complete failure of ventilation
- Notched trace - Patient respiratory effort during IPPV
- Slow rising initial phase - Upper airway obstruction
- Slow rising ‘plateau’ phase - Bronchospasm
When is laryngospasm likely to occur
Laryngospasm may be provoked by stimulation of the airway during light planes of anaesthesia by airway instrumentation, blood, secretions or volatile anaesthetic agents.
Strong surgical stimuli away from the larynx, such as anal dilatation, may also produce laryngospasm if the depth of anaesthesia is inadequate.
Differentiate partial from complete laryngospasm
Complete laryngospasm - silent with absent airflow into lungs
Incomplete laryngospasm - stridor with obstructed airflow into lungs
What is the treatment of laryngospasm?
- Increasing the depth of anaesthesia, (e.g. boluses of IV propofol)
OR
- Muscle relaxation (give suxamethonium if dangerous hypoxaemia is present or impending).
Application of gentle CPAP with 100 % oxygen may improve oxygenation until the above takes effect.
Be aware that stomach inflation may occur as a result of attempted positive pressure ventilation against a closed glottis.
What are the causes of bronchospasm
Summarize treatment of bronchospasm
- Exclude anaphylaxis
- Drugs
- Beta blockers
- NSAIDS
- Atracurium - Irritable airways in GA
- Asthma/COPD
- Smokers
- Recent LRTI
Rx: Remove secretions (suction) Inhaled/IV bronchodilators IV salbutamol: 0.5 mg IV slowly (5 - 10 mins) followed by maintenance 0.5 mg over 1 hour (watch for hypokalaemia)
What are risk factors for a pneumothorax in the anaesthetic context?
chest trauma, bullous lung disease, subclavian CVC placement brachial plexus block laparoscopic and thoracic surgery.
Hypoxaemia may occur in the face of apparently normal ventilation. What may cause this?
Ventilation/perfusion mismatch causing shunt. V/Q mismatch results when ventilation of areas of the lung is inadequate to fully oxygenate blood flow. Shunting occurs when blood passes though areas of the lungs that have no ventilation. Causes include, alveolar collapse and bronchial intubation.
Shunt will not be corrected by increasing the FiO2.
What are the adverse effects of hypercarbia
Increased SNS (dysrhythmia) Direct myocardial depression Acidosis Increased ICP and intraocular pressure Narcosis
Classify the causes of hypercarbia
Inadequate ventilation
Rebreathing
- Excessive dead space
- Exhausted soda lime
- Inadequate FGF
Increased CO2 load
- Carboperitoneum (laparoscopy)
- MH
- Following tissue revascularization (aortic cross clamp release
Severe lung disease
How does ETCO2 differ from PaCO2
In health PaCO2 is about 0.5 kPa higher (must be a concentration gradient for diffusion)
In severe lung disease the PaCO2 - ETCO2 gradient may be larger
What adjustment to ventilation settings is the most effective for the elimination of CO2 and why?
Increasing Vt is more effective than increasing respiratory rate as an increase in Vt increases alveolar ventilation relative to the dead space.
Why is a rise in ETCO2 observed during laparoscopy
Peritoneal absorption of insufflated CO2
Increased intra-abdominal pressure and reduced lung compliance.
What is significant hypotension?
a drop of 20% below preoperative values
List the common causes of intraoperative hypotension
- Hypovolaemia (haemorrhage or other fluid loss)
- Impaired venous return (Compressed IVC or Tension Pneumothorax)
- Vasodilatation (Excessive anaesthetic depth, neuraxial block esp. when combined with GA)
- Obstructive shock: PE, Air embolus
- Ventricular impairment
- Dysrhythmia
What is the immediate management of intraoperative hypotension
FLUID
Assess fluid status and administer fluid bolus (250 - 500 mL) - caution in cardiac impairment
VASOPRESSOR INCREMENTS
High heart rate: Phenylephrine 50 - 100 mcg/dose
N/low heart rate: Ephidrine 3mg
INOTROPIC SUPPORT (If there is evidence of ventricular impairment)
Adrenalin
Dobutamine