Thermoregulation Flashcards
First Law of Thermodynamics
Energy can’t be created nor destroyed - can only change form
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Total entropy never decreases over time in an isolated system
Third Law of Thermodynamics
Absolute zero (T = 0 kelvin), zero entropy = unattainable
Physiology of Thermoregulation
- Organism’s heat energy measured as body temp
o Total amt of heat energy = function of temperature, patient mass
o Most mammals: temperature relatively constant (homeothermic) despite continual metabolic heat production, environmental heat gain/loss
o Temperature fluctuates with time of day, time of year (hibernating animals) hormonal influences, activity levels
Homeothermic
Maintain relatively constant temperature despite changes
Most mammals
Only non homeothermic/poikilothermic mammal?
Adult naked mole rat
Poikilothermic
species normally subject to significant environmental temperature influences
amphibians, reptiles, some fish
Normal Temperature Regulation
o Sensed by temperature-responsive cells t/o body
o thermal receptors in skin discharge when threshold reached
Most utilize cation channels: transient receptor potential (TRP) family
o Visceral receptors: brain (anterior hypothalamus, preoptic area), SC, abdomen (GIT, bladder)
o Afferent input to CNS via different nerve fiber types (A-delta, C) depending on whether signal hot, cold, noxious
Signals –> ascending tracts of SC –> hypothalamus –> integrated, responses issued
Summary of Thermal Input to CNS
Averaging of temp allows for narrow thermal set point assoc with interthreshold range of +/- 0.2*C (temp variation when no compensatory mechanisms occur)
Role of Anesthetic Drugs and Altered Thermoregulation
Ax drugs alter thermoregulatory thresholds for compensatory responses
Why perioperative patients fail to shiver even though mildly hypothermic
Increase in threshold range (approx. 3.5*C) caused by anesthetic agents (volatile agents, opioids, sedatives) somewhat drug, dose-dependent
Key: ax reduces p’s ability to tightly regulate core body temp
Normal Core to Periphery Gradient
2-4*C
Significant longitudinal variation in limbs: greater away from trunk, greater difference
Mechanism of Maintenance of Core to Periphery Gradient
Heat transfer btw core, periphery = blood-borne convection, some tissue-to-tissue conduction
Factors that influence distribution of blood:
* Arteriovenous anastomoses
* Cutaneous VC/VD
* Countercurrent vascular heat exchange
* Sweating *in p’s that can do so
* Environmental temperature
Panting, Shivering
modify heat loss/gain (core temp > skin-to-core temp gradient)
How anesthetic drugs change body temperature
why p undergo rapid decrease in body temp following admin of ax drugs esp those that cause profound peripheral VD ie ACP, inhalants
* Drugs which cause less peripheral VD: less rapid decrease in temp
* Also important: body size/surface area-to-mass ratio can greatly influence change in core body temp
o Cats, small dogs: faster changes than larger patients (horses)
Hypothermia
Heat loss in excess of metabolic production or decreased thermoregulatory set-point, which delays shivering/other compensatory mechanisms
Heat loss/gain usually greatest in areas with large blood flow, low mass (limbs)
Three Phases of Heat Loss during Anesthesia
- Initial rapid hypothermic phase (0-2hr)
- Linear phase (2-4hrs)
- Plateau phase (>4hrs)
Initial rapid hypothermic phase
- Rapid decline during first hr of GA DT redistribution of warm blood from lost through skin by radiation, convection
- Transfer of core heat to periphery DT VD
- Phase nearly impossible to prevent by application of external heat source following induction
Temp change: 0.5-1.5*C
Most effective way to mitigate initial rapid hypothermic phase?
prewarm patient skin, peripheral tissues
o Warm, ambient environment —> minimizes thermal gradient btw skin and core so once blood flow increases to periphery, heat energy required to re-establish equilibrium minimal
o Limitations: patient compliance, patient compensatory mechanisms
Temp change: 0.5-1.5*C
Linear Phase
Slower linear decline, ~2hr bc heat loss exceeding metabolic production
Rate of heat fall depends on difference btw heat lost, produced and size of patient
Plateau Phase
Pseudoequilibrium with environment, body temp stabilizes over 3-4hrs
Peripheral VC causes restriction of metabolic heat to the core
Four mechanisms of heat transfer?
- Radiation
- Convection
- Conduction
- Evaporation
Radiation
electromagnetic (photon) transfer of energy btw surfaces
—Does not depend on air around patient
—DOES depend on emissivity of involved surfaces, their temperature difference (in K) raised to 4th power
MAIN LOSS OF HEAT LOSS DURING SX
Emissivity
object’s capacity to exchange heat
* 1.0=perfect absorber of heat, 0=perfect reflector of heat, human skin=0.95
Conduction
direct heat transfer btw two adjacent surfaces, heat flow proportional to temperature difference btw two bodies/surfaces
Examples of colder objects: OR tables, linens, surgical instruments, skin prep, irrigation, IVF
Thermal insulation: reduce heat transfer
Wetness: increases conductive heat loss
Think why have to use pot holder with warm pot handle
Convection
transfer of heat via intermediary, ie moving air or flowing liquid
—Eg heat lost when body surfaces exposed
—Movement of air (‘wind chill’) increases heat loss proportional to square root of air velocity
* Examples: clipping, initial prep, sterile prep in OR
Convection and Heat Loss During Sx
Normally second most common cause of heat loss behind radiation (30%)
Most important cause of heat loss in environments with high air flow
Use of air-trapping sheet, blanket around patient will limit air flow –> reduce effects of convection by around 30%
Additional layers do little to decrease heat loss from convection: importance of decreasing air flow vs insulating capacity of cover
Evaporation
liquids from skin or body cavity surface results in patient heat loss DT ’donation’ of heat energy required to vaporize liquid