Anaesthesia Flashcards

1
Q

Why do you carry out a pre-anaesthetic assessment?

A
  • to see if you think the animal will survive the anaesthetic
  • to see if it is worth doing the procedure
  • to establish the suitability of the patient to undergo sedation/ anaesthesia
  • to detect any deviation from normal which may influence or be influenced by anaesthesia
  • helps us to select appropriate anaesthetic and sedation agents
  • helps us come to a prognosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Questions to ask when taking a history for pre-anaesthetic assessment

A
  • need consent for the procedure
  • need contact details of the owner
  • when was the last time the animal ate and drank
  • has the animal had any previous anaesthetics - if so was there any complications
  • is the animal on any medication - even herbal ones can have an effect, if so ask for the dose, frequency and last administration
  • Any current or new symptoms or problems noticed by owener
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Questions to ask when taking a history for pre-anaesthetic assessment - cardiorespiratory, renal and neurological

A

cardiovascular:

  • any exercise intollerance
  • any syncope - passing out
  • any recent weight gain
  • any lethargy

Respiratory:

  • nasal or ocular discharge
  • any coughing or sneezing
  • any excessive panting or exercise intollerance

Neurological: - senile dogs need lower anaesthetic drug doses as can increase severity of senility and dementia

  • any seizures
  • any behavioural changes

Renal:

  • any excessive drinking
  • any excessive urination
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the ASA grades?

A
  1. normal haelthy patient
  2. a patient with mild systemic disease
  3. a patient with severe systemic disease
  4. a patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
  5. A moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operation
    E = emergency
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of pre-anaesthetic bloods

A

Advantages:

  • increases the information you have on he patient and allows you to better individualise care and anaesthetic protocol
  • gives owner reassurance
  • can pick up on disease - most commonly liver and kidney
  • increases accuracy at predicting potential complications
  • to provide evidence in the case of a court case

Disadvantages:

  • cost to owner
  • can cause animal unnecessary stress
  • can find abnormal results which can cause unnecessary worry
  • if already pre-meded can alter blood results - always screen before pre-med
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the protocol for feeding before and after an anaesthetic

A
  • Withholding food for 24-48 hours before an op increass risk of regurgitation
  • best practice give a light wet meal 8 hours before surgery
  • feed as soon as possible after op to reduce nausea
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What should be looked for on a pre-anaesthetic physical exam

A

General demeanor:

  • body condition
  • hydration status
  • looking alert and responsive
  • quiet animals will need lower pre-med doses

CVS:

  • CRT - prolonged is significant but animals with a problem can still have a problem
  • check pulses
  • check heart rate
  • check mucous membrane colour

Resp:

  • discharges
  • increased respiratory effort
  • auscultation - abnormal respiratory noise

Temperature - don’t bother if animal is stressed or difficult unless you suspect something

  • pyrexia
  • hypothermia

Hepatic and renal::

  • urinalysis
  • jaundice
  • bloods to check liver and kidney enzymes
  • if liver enzymes are abnormal best way to check liver health and function is a bile acid stim test
  • mouth
  • integument
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the 2 types of muscle relaxant?

What are other muscle relaxants

A
  • neuromuscular blocking agents - act peripherally, capable of paralysing all striated muscle
  • centrally acting muscle relaxants - weaken postural muscles and act on the interneuronal relays in the spine
  • botulinum toxin interferes with ACh release acts on the neuromuscular junction
  • dantroline interferes with excitation and contraction coupling so muscles can’t contract when they recieve an impulse
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why are muscle relaxants used?

A
  • can aid surgical access
  • for assistance with intubation - cats and pigs
  • as part of a balanced anaesthesia technique - e.g. to compliment other drugs like ketamine which increase muscle tone
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Disadvantages to muscle relaxants

A
  • can paralyse respiratory musculature rendering patient unable to breath
  • makes it more difficult to judge anaesthetic depth - sometimes reflexes are prevented too
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How is anaesthetic depth monitored

A
  • heart rate
  • arterial blood pressure
  • salivation/lacrimation/defecation/urination
  • sweating - horses
  • anal tone
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the order of muscle paralysis in a dog

A
  • facial expression - more resistant in horses and cattle
  • tail
  • distal limbs and neck
  • proximal limbs
  • throat
  • abdominal wall
  • intercostals
  • diaphragm

recovery is usually in the reverse order

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How do peripherally acting neuromuscular blockers work

A
  • compete with acetylcholine at the post-synaptic nicotinic ACh receptors so block normal neuromuscular transmission
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the 2 types of peripherally acting neuromuscular blockers

A

non-depolarising nm blocking agents
e.g amino-steroids - vercuronium, rocuronium
benzylisoquinoliniums - atracurium
block post-synaptic NaCh receptors and prevent ACh activating them - must block at least 75% to have an effect

depolarising agents
e.g. succinylcholine
firstly stimulates the post synaptic NACh receptors then as membrane becomes refractory blocks them - only needs to act on 5-20% of receptors for effect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How do you assess the degree of block

A
  • jaw tone
  • eye position
  • presence of reflexes
  • any signs of movement
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How are neuromuscular blocks reversed

A
  • anti-cholinesterase drugs - reduce break down of ACh if a significant amount is available in the synaptic cleft, increases amount of ACh in nmjs
  • reversible agents = edrophonium and neostigmine

irreversible agents not used in practise

be aware that you see an increase in both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors - don’t want muscarinic effects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the muscarinic receptor effects

A

parasympathetic effects:

  • bradycardia
  • bronchoconstriction
  • salivation
  • defeacation and urination
  • miosis

require anticholinergics to prevent these effects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are anticholinergics

A

examples: atropine - don’t use in horses and rabbits
glycopyrrolate

coupling with anticholinesterases:

  • neostigmine and glycopyrrolate
  • endrophonium and atropine - endrophonium has fewer muscarinic effects so may not need an anticholinergic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

When should you reverse neuromuscular blockers

A

when signs of recovery are seen e.g. twitches, animal fighting to breath on it’s own
don’t reverse unless you are sure it can move and breath for itself
be aware if you reverse too early excess amounts of ACh can desensitise the nmj deepening the block

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the difference between sedation and premedication

A
  • sedation more commonly done in large animals
  • sedation is more dangerous as it’s not monitored as well
  • sedation often to calm an animal enough to carry out a procedure while pre-medication is to calm down and reduce the dose of anaesthetic drug needed
  • pre-medication doesn’t have the same significant sedation effect
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Why do we sedate and pre-med

A
  • ease of handling
  • to calm and animal and reduce stress
  • to reduce the amount of anaesthetic agent needed
  • to reduce muscle tone
  • to provide analgesia
  • to reduce seizures
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Briefly describe the effects of ACP

A
  • Acepromazine - a phenothiazinine
  • reduces spontaneous motor activity, good for seizures
  • onset: 30 mins
  • duration: 4-8 hours
  • metabolised by liver - be aware in liver disease
  • Note: dose on body surface area not weight - larger the animal the less you need

Positives:
- Anti-arrhythmic – reduces chance of getting arrhythmias under GA but won’t have an effect on already established murmurs
- muscle relaxation - good to use in combination with ketamine
· Weak anti-histamine – good for mast cell tumour removal as might help reduce degranulation but don’t use in reactive skin tests as can interfere with results
· Antispasmodic
· Anti-emetic – reduce chances of vomiting esp with an opioid
· Works really well in Labradors
· Research shown giving ACP before a pre-med in horses increases chance of surviving op

Contraindications:
- side effects: causes vasodilation by blocking alpha 1 adrenoreceptors - beware of heat loss, provides no analgesia and provides unreliable sedation - easily aroused
- don’t use an adrenaline reversal - drops cardiac output dramatically
· Don’t give with a respiratory depressant drug as although fine on its own it will potentiate the effects of the other drug
· Will cause muscle relaxation – be aware in brachiocephalic dogs as it can relax the muscles around the pharynx which can occlude airways – can be used but in low doses, perfectly safe
· In boxes ACP can cause syncope due to excessive vasodilation causing bradycardia and respiratory depression - be aware you need a much lower dose
· Will reduce PCV as much as 50% because a lot of RBCs congregate in the spleen and due to the vasodilation creating more room for the same number of RBCs, not pathological doesn’t cause a problem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What should an ideal sedation/pre-medication drug be?

A

· Be easy to administer via several routes
· Have no side effects
· Have a rapid onset and reasonable duration of action
· Be of a sensible volume to inject
· Be able to be used in all species safely
. Be readily reversible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Briefly describe the effects of Alpha 2 agonists

A
  • different ones licensed for different species
  • have a variable onset and duration

Advantages:

  • provide reliable sedation
  • provide good analgesia
  • have a synergistic effect on other drugs so need less anaesthetic agent
  • provides muscle relaxation so can be used with ketamine to counteract it’s muscle tone effects
  • Are reversible – atipamezole can reverse all alpha 2 effects, however side effects include tachycardia, muscle tremors, hypertension, over-alertness, panting and vomiting – don’t give IV give (more likely to get side effects) IM unless an emergency.

Disadvantages:
- cardiovascular effects - causes vasoconstriction and bradycardia
- don’t give in young animals can’t compensate CV system well
- large animals less stable with alpha 2s
- muscle relaxation - care in brachyocephalics
· Diuresis – block secretion and responsiveness to ADH, issue in animals unable to urinate, sometimes empty bladder before revival as full bladder can cause an animal to come round too soon which can be more detrimental (horses, blocked cats), will mess up urine specific gravity
· Increases uterine tone so avoid in pregnant animals
· Reduced GI secretions, blood flow and motility so care in horses – more likely to have ileum
· Hyperglycaemia – reduces secretion and response to insulin – take note on biochem and bloods
· Increased risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux
· Respiratory effects: take deeper breaths, won’t breath then will take a few deep breaths – normal for an animal on alpha 2s
- increased tidal volume
- Reduced resp rate
- Overall minute ventilation doesn’t change
- Can cause reduced cell counts and total proteins – care when analysing bloods
- Can cause mydriasis and reduced aqueous humour production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Briefly describe the effects of benzodiazepines
- none licensed for veterinary use - most common drugs - diazepam and midazolam - commonly used for induction rather than sedation - Tends to be used as a co-induction agent with ketamine and propofol to reduce dose and get good muscle relaxation Advantages: - minimal CVS and resp depression - anticonvulsant - works well in very young or very old animals - good muscle relaxation disadvantages: - may cause excitement rather than sedation - do not give with liver disease - tend to heighten any trait - aggression, excitement - never give to cats go crazy - sympathetically dominated -
26
What alpha 2 agonists can be used in small animals
medetomidine - domitor | dexmedetomidine
27
What alpha 2 agonists can be used in horses
xylazine romifidine detomidine
28
What alpha 2 agonists can be used in large animals
xylazine | detomidine
29
Briefly describe the effects of opioids
- butorphenol, methodone, buprenorphine - butorphanol best for sedation but no analgesia - good for quick non-invasive procedures e.g. x-rays - effects e.g. onset and duration are species, dose and drug dependant Advantages: - Causes minimal CVS depression – decrease in heart rate but not significant except pethidine which increases heart rate Disadvantages: - horses tend to get excited - not reliable in cats - Can cause respiratory depression in some species – don’t give in combination with another respiratory depressant
30
Briefly describe the effects of ketamine
· More often used as an induction agent – main in horses, not used on own in small animals · Used in cats for triple combination – metatomidine, opioid and ketamine Advantages · Can be used to enhance sedation of other drugs Gives good analgesia – good in low doses · Disadvantages: - Increases muscle tone – use with a drug that causes muscle relaxation – benzodiazepine or alpha 2
31
Briefly describe the effects of propofol and alfaxalone
- used a lot in small animals - quick onset - short duration (15 mins) - can be titrated to effect - top ups used to enhance sedation of other drugs
32
Why is the patient monitored under anaesthetic?
``` safety of patient safety of personnel to maintain the correct depth of anaesthesia to maintain organ function legal implications ```
33
What is monitored during anaesthetic?
cardiovascular system respiratory system the CNS and temperature
34
How is the cardiovascular system monitored during GA
monitoring tissue oxygen delivery through looking at peripheral perfusion, oxygenation, Arterial blood pressure and cardiac output Basic indicators include: auscultation for heart rate, palpation of pulse (rate, rhythm, strength, defects), mucous membrane colour (dehydration, perfusion, blood oxygenation) and capillary refill time Advanced indicators - ECG, urinary output, central venous pressure, cardiac output
35
How do you calculate cardiac output
heart rate x Stroke volume
36
What are the normal heart rates under GA
Dogs - over 60 bpm - smaller dogs may be higher Cats - over 80 bpm Horses - over 25 bpm Cows - over 50 bpm younger animals will be higher
37
What is the arterial blood pressure and how is it calculated
it is the pressure exerted by the circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels calculated by cardiac output x systemic vascular resistance
38
What should systolic and diastolic output be?
systolic - 120mmhg | diastolic - 60-80 mmhg
39
what is hypotension
abnormally low blood pressure, can lead to damage and reduced perfusion to vital organs
40
What can cause hypotension
- bradycardia - drugs - vasodilation - inadequate stroke volume - too deep anaesthesia - incorrect body position - acid-base disturbances - hypovolaemia - intermittent positive pressure ventilation
41
What is hypovolemia
a decreased volume of blood circulating the body
42
How is the respiratory system monitored during GA
- assess breathing by looking for bag movement, chest movement and by auscultation - asses if the patient is breathing effectively - assess rate, rhythm, tidal volume, look at mucous membrane colour (purple/cyanotic means poor oxygen delivery to the peripheral tissues while brick red indicates hypercapnia or endotoxaemia)
43
How is total lung ventilation calculated
dead space ventilation (doesn't participate in gas exchange) + alveolar ventilation
44
what is the best indicator of alveolar ventilation
``` partial pressure of carbon dioxide should be 35-45mmHg if it's high indicates hypoventilation if its low indicates hyperventilation carbon dioxide levels should not exceed 60 mmHg - this is hypercapnia ```
45
What can cause ventilatory failure
- drugs - neuromuscular disease - pain - trauma - a shunt - hyperthermia - hypoventilation
46
What monitoring aids can be used to assess the respiratory system
- pulse oximetry - measures oxygen saturation of haemoglobin - capnograph - measures % carbon dioxide over inspiration and expiration - respiratory or blood gas analysis - spirometry - measures the volume of air breathed out in 1 second versus the total volume of air you breath out
47
During GA why is the CNS depressed
- to prevent movement - to avoid consciousness - to relax muscles - so there is no awareness - so there is no pain - to allow stable haemodynamic parameters
48
What do the eyes say about the depth of anaesthesia
- when light they are central | - when adequate anaesthesia is reached they rotate down
49
What part of the brain controls temperature
the hypothalamus
50
what reflexes can you assess to check anaesthesia depth
- palpebral - corneal in exotics in emergencies - jaw tone - muscle twitches - withdraw limb reflex
51
What percentage water makes up an adult and neonate animal
- 60-70% in an adult | - 80% in a neonate
52
How is total body water calculated
- 60% of bodyweight e.g. 500kg horse - 60% of 500 = 300 so the total body water in a 500kg horse is 300 litres
53
of the body water in an animal how much is intracellular and how much is extracellular
of the 60% body water 40% is intracellular and 20% is extracellular
54
of the extracellular fluid in an animal how much is interstitial and how much is intravascular
of the 20% of extracellular fluid, 15% is interstitial and 5% is intravascular plasma
55
What is the total blood volume in a horse, dog, cat, rabbit, sheep and cow
in dogs and horses total blood volume is 8-9% of body mass | in the cat, rabbit, sheep and cow the total blood volume is 6-7% of body mass
56
What are the rules of fluid therapy
replace intravascular volume first then you can worry about other deficits then worry about ongoing losses followed by ongoing maintenance requirements
57
What are the normal water gains in the body
- voluntary oral intake - majority | - metabolic water production - only small amounts
58
what are the normal water losses in the body
- sensible losses - these are regulatable = urine - insensible losses - these are non- regulatable= faeces from the GI tract, sweat, moisture from the respiratory tract and obligatory minimal mandatory urine excretion
59
How much water is lost through sensible and insensible losses per day ?
25 ml/kg/ day each so a total of 50ml/kg/day
60
What are the daily water requirements for a neonate and an adult
for adults: 50ml/kg/day (often quoted as a range between 40-60) so an hourly requirement of 2-2.5ml/kg for neonates: 100ml/kg/day or 5ml/kg/hr
61
what is anaesthetic/surgical maintenace of fluids
1-2 x maintenance
62
Name the different types of water loss
- pure water loss - dehydration - water and electrolyte loss - diuresis, diarrhoea, vomiting - water, electrolyte and protein loss - transudates, exudates and effusions , severe enteritis, protein losing enteropathy or nephropathy - blood - haemorrhage
63
What is the definition of dehydration
- deficit of water so all compartments are affected including the intravascular one for this reason animals will always be hypovolaemic if its dehydrated
64
What is the definition of hypovolaemia
- deficit of circulating blood volume so affects liquid in the intravascular space - an animal can be hypovolaemic without being dehydrated e.g. in the case of acute haemorrhage only the intravascular compartment is affected so there isn't much relative water loss
65
What are crystalloids
can be isotonic - similar sodium concentration to plasma / ECF can be physiologically hypotonic wich means it contains low sodium but includes glucose which makes the solution isotonic still so RBCs don't swell and burst can be hypertonic where there is a higher concentration of sodium than in the plasma / ECF watery crystalloides disperse rapidly throughout all fluid compartments while high sodium crystalloides distribute throughout the extravascular space - about a quarter remains intravascularly
66
What is an isotonic solution
has the same osmotic pressure as the blood so there is no net movement of water
67
What is a hypertonic solution
has higher osmotic pressure than the blood meaning it encourages fluid to be drawn out of cells into the blood
68
What is a hypotonic solution
has a lower osmotic pressure than the blood so causes water to be pushed out of the blood into the cells
69
Name some crystalloides that can be used in practice
isotonic solutions include 0.9% saline and hartmans physiologically hypotonic solutions include 5% dextrose and 4% dextrose with 1/5th 0.18 saline hypertonic solutions include - anything above 0.9% saline - 7.2% commonly used
70
What are colloides
contain large chunky molecules e.g. proteins, sugars and starches remain well in the intravascular compartment encouraging water from the cells to be drawn into the blood also known as plasma volume expanders not easily filtered out by capillaries
71
Name some colloides used in practice
- plasma and albumin are natural colloides | - synthetic colloides include gelatins, dextrans and hydroxyethyl starches
72
Other than colloides and crystalloides what other fluids are available
blood and blood products such as whole blood, packed red cells, platelet rich plasma or fresh frozen plasma oxygen carrying solutions such as haemoglobin and oxyglobin special fluids such as sodium bicarbonate, high potassium fluids, mineral and vitamin rich fluids such as calcium and magnesium, paraenteral nutrition solutions including glucose, lipids and amino acids
73
What fluid should be used for pure water loss?
low sodium crystalloid - physiologically hypotonic
74
What fluid should be used for blood loss?
colloids, blood or haemoglobin or high sodium crystalloids
75
What fluid should be used for proteinaceous loss?
colloides
76
What fluid should be used for general ECF loss?
high sodium crystalloides like hartmans and normal saline | colloides
77
What is the aim of a maintenance fluid
to provide and distribute water between all compartments
78
What is the aim of a replacement fluid
aim to restore intravascular volume and replace salt and water
79
What are the clinical signs of intravascular hypovolaemia
- tachycardia - weak peripheral pulses (decrease in arterial blood pressure) - cool extremities - change in mucous membrane colour and CRT - tachypnoea - reduced urine output (increased urine specific gravity ) - altered mentation (depression, inactivity, recumbency)
80
What are the clinical signs of dehydration - this can include hypovolaemia
- tachycardia - weak peripheral pulses (decrease in arterial blood pressure) - cool extremities - change in mucous membrane colour and CRT also become tacky - tachypnoea - sunken eyes - reduced skin tugor - reduced urine output (increased urine specific gravity ) - altered mentation (depression, inactivity, recumbency)
81
Describe the key features of each percentage dehydration
less than 5% - no changes seen 7% - tacky or dry mucous membranes, may see decrease in skin turgor 10% - dry mucous membranes, marked decrease in skin turgor 12% - dry mucous membranes, marked decrease in skin turgor, altered mentation, becoming moribund 15% - all of the above and dying
82
Why are PCV and TP sometimes unreliable for assessing fluid deficit
because changes do not occur immediately can take a few hours to alter after an acute change e.g. haemorrhage
83
What are the different routes of fluid administration
enteral - best way if the gut is working sufficiently via voluntary intake or for large volumes orogastric tube paraenteral - IV, intra-osseus, subcut (can have poor absorption) or intraperitoneal - care!
84
what should you monitor with a dehydrated / hypovolaemic patient
- heart rate - arterial blood pressure - CRT and mm colour, tackiness - tmperature - urine output and specific gravity - changes in PCV/ TP - Lactate levels - central venous pressure
85
What is the bolus technique for fluid therapy
10-20ml/kg of crystalloid IV within 15-30 mins then reassess | or 2.5-5ml/kg of colloides IV within 15-30 mins
86
How do you work out drips per second
drops/ml (usually on the giving set e.g. 20 or 60) x rate x bodyweight / 3600 gives rate in ml/kg/hr x by 24 to get per day
87
Which drugs provide analgesia
``` alpha 2 agonists opioids ketamine nitrous oxide all local anaesthetics ```
88
What drugs provide reliable sedation or unconsciousness
``` ACP - unreliable sedation alpha 2 agonsits - sedation opioids - sedation barbituates ketamine propofol inhalation agents ```
89
what drugs provide muscle relaxation
``` ACP Benzodiazepines alpha 2 agonists barbituates propofol inhalation agents ```
90
What inhalation agents are available n practice
- halofluorane - no longer used except in some equine practices - no longer sold - isoflurane - licensed for use in most species - sevoflurane - licensed in dogs only - nitrous oxide uncommon - causes foetal abnormalities, health hazard
91
What are the advantages and disadvantages of inhalation agents for anaesthesia
pros: - allows oxygen delivery with agent - allows ventilation - easy to alter level of anaesthesia - running costs low once set up - easy to reverse - just breathed out and effects wear off cons: - high initial cost to set up - not portable - ET tube needed
92
What are the advantages and disadvantages of TIVA (total IV anaesthesia)
pros: - easy to do in field - minimal equipment - cheap to set up cons: - harder to control level of anaesthesia - can't be reversed once administered - oxygen delivery must be separate - drugs can be expensive
93
What is the minimal alveolar concentration
concentration at which 50% of patients fail to respond to a noxious stimulus it is affected by species, changes in body temperature, drugs that act on the CNS it is lower in pregnant, young or old animals as well as if under hypotension or hypoxia
94
what is the correct minimal alveolar concentration during stable anaesthesia
1.2-1.5x MAC | side effects get considerably worse after 2.5 x MAC
95
Describe the general features of isofluorane
- gives greatest degree of respiratory depression of all inhalation agents - causes potent vasodilation - heat loss - pungent - animals averse to the smell - not nice for inhalation induction - cheap - licensed in all species - no analgesia
96
Describe the general features of sevofluorane
- low solubility - quick induction and recovery - non-pungent - good for inhalation induction - less respiratory depression - no analgesia - only licensed in dogs - expensive - causes vasodilation
97
Describe the general features of Haloflurane
- no longer sold - some equine vets prefer it for use in GA - no analgesia - most soluble so longer recovery - causes myocardial depression and sensitisation to catecholamines
98
Describe the general features of Desflurane
- requires a special vaporiser - no analgesia - extremely pungent - can't be used for inhalation induction - quickest recovery times - not always a good thing
99
Describe the general features of nitrous oxide
- has the lowest solubility - expensive - teratogenic- need an active scavenging system, health and safety risk - needs to be restricted to sub anaesthetic doses to provide anaesthesia as MAC is 100% and would kill an animal
100
What are the 2 methods of TIVA
Bolus | continuous infusion
101
what are the advantages and disadvantages to continuous infusuion anaesthetic
pros: - have an element of control over the level of anaesthesia - doesn't need repeated doses and catheter handling - should result in quicker recovery cons: - takes more time to set up - costs more in equipment and often drugs as you make up more than you need - can easily result in overdose if surgeon isn't being observant
102
What agents can be used for TIVA
All have cumulative effects so can only be used for short procedures - Propofol - ketamine - Alfaxalone - Thiopentone often used to facilitate IV GA as muscle relaxants: Alpha 2 agonists GGE Bensodiaepines
103
Describe the general features of Alfaxalone
- neurosteroid - non irritant extravascularly - causes CV and resp depression but not as pornounced as propofol - metabolised rapidly - short duration of action - no analgesia
104
Describe the general features of propofol
- non irritant extravascularly - causes potent CV and resp depression - no analgesia - never use in cats - results in heinz body formation
105
Describe the general features of Ketamine
- NMDA antagonist - in healthy animals doesn't cause CV probs - requires heavy sedation to prevent excitement - causes increased tone of muscles - must be used with a relaxant - excellent analgesia
106
Describe the general features of thiopentone
- barbituate - no longer available in the UK - extravascular irritant - causes potent resp and CV depression - mainly an induction agent - used with GGE in horses
107
What is shock
a failure of the microcirculation to deliver adequate oxygen and metabolic substrates to the cells and to remove their waste results in altered cell metabolism, cell death and ultimately organ dysfunction or failure it is an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand and itself triggers an inflammatory response which can directly or indirectly lead to SIRS and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
108
What are the types of shock
- hypovolaemic shock - distributive shock - obstructive shock - cardiogenic shock - metabolic shock
109
Describe the general features of hypovolaemic shock
- results from haemorrhage, trauma or severe fluid loss
110
Describe the general features of distributive shock
- can be high resistance caused by neurogenic problems or excessive vasopressor therapy - can be low resistance caused by anaphylaxis or SIRS - this is when there is poor distribution of the available blood volume leading to tissue hypoxia - distributive shock is also septic shock from the immune response to bacterial fragments in the blood resulting in the release of inflammatory mediators causing vasodilation, vascular leakage and coagulopathies
111
Describe the general features of Obstructive shock
- can be a result of a pneumothorax , cardiac tamponade (compression of heart due to accumulation of fluid in pericardial sac) or embolus (micro or thrombo)
112
Describe the general features of cardiogenic shock
- due to heart failure, congenital heart disease or dysrhythmias
113
Describe the general features of metabolic shock
- caused by anaemia, hypoglycaemia, toxicity, acute adrenal insufficiency
114
What is septicaemia, sepsis syndrome and septic shock
speticaemia is evidence of bacteria or bacterial endotoxins in the blood sepsis syndrome is when evidence of the bacterial infection has resulted in SIRS Septic shock is sepsis syndrome which is unresponsive to treatment
115
What are the 3 phases of distributive shock
1. hyperdynamic phase - brick red MM, short CRT, bounding pulse, raised cardiac output and tachycardia 2. hypodynamic phase - pale or congested MM, increased CRT, weak pulses, decreased CO, cold extremities 3. refractory phase - same as hypodynamic but unresponsive to treatment
116
What are the cardiovascular consequences of distributive (septic) shock
``` hypovolaemia vascular leakage coagulopathies altered rheology (blood viscosity) vasoplegia - low systemic vascular resistance ```
117
How do you treat shock
- provide oxygen/ oxygen rich environment - give vasoactive agents - fluid therapy - isotonic crystalloid 40-100ml/kg bolus - colloides 10-20 ml/kg bolus over 15 mins - hypertonic saline - 4ml/kg bolus over 15 mins
118
What are the advantages and disadvantages of injectable induction agents
pros: - minimal equipment needed - rapid, smooth induction - no environmental pollution cons: - inreased stress due to restraint to gain IV access - IV access very difficult in some animals - once given retrieval is impossible - need to know patient weight - CV and resp depression
119
What are the advantages and disadvantages of mask induction
pros: - no IV access required - easy to bring round from anaesthetic cons: - prolonged - more equipment needed - risk or air pollution - may increase stress due to smell, airway irritation and restraint
120
What are the advantages and disadvantages of chamber induction
pros: - no IV access required - less stressful than restraining to gain IV access - easy to bring round from anaesthetic cons: - prolonged - more equipment needed - risk or air pollution - may increase stress due to smell, airway irritation and entrapment
121
what are the main sites of action for induction agents
- GABA receptors - glyciene receptors - potassium channels - NaCh receptors - NMDA receptors
122
What are the pros and cons of giving induction agents slowly and to effect
pros: - allows you to use reduced amounts - less CV and resp depression cons: - may become excited - slow - requires an easily handleable patient
123
What are the pros and cons of giving induction agents as a rapid bolus
pros: - rapid - less likely to become excited - safer handling cons: - more pronounced CV and resp depression - higher doses administered
124
What injectable induction agents are available
- barbituates - pentobarbital and thiopental - neurosteroids - alfaxalone - phenols - propofol - caboxylated imidazoles - etomidate - phencyclidine derivatives - ketamine and tiletamine
125
Describe the general features of thiopental
- no veterinary licensed product in the UK - ultra short acting 5-15 minutes - comes as a powder must be made into a suspension with water - high pH stings on injection IV only - lipid soluble - fast acting - no analgesia - causes bronchoconstriction - causes vasodilation - is a negative inotrope so causes myocardial depression - is an arrhythmogenic - sensitisation to catecholamines
126
Describe the general features of alfaxalone
- few allergic reactions - licensed in cats and dogs - fairly neutral pH so no pain on injection - acts on GABA receptors - causes tachycardia - causes vasodilation - no analgesia - can give IV or IM - Good muscle relaxation - can cause in-coordination on recovery - rapidly metabolised
127
Describe the general features of propofol
- cerebroprotectant - highly lipid soluble - neutral pH - no pain on injection - licensed in cats and dogs - causes hypotension - is a mild negative inotrope - causes vasodilation - decreases baroreceptor sensitivity so no reflex tachycardia - respiratory depression and apnoea - rapidly metabolised - don't use in cats - heinz body formation - no analgesia
128
Describe the general features of ketamine
- licensed in cats, dogs and horses - main induction agent in the horse - low pH - irritant - NMDA receptor antagonist - slow onset - 1-2 mins - dissociates mind from body - good analgesia - minimm resp depression - increases intracranial pressure - increases muscle tone - animals can get noise hypersensitivity - painful IM - IV preferred - cranial nerve reflexes can remain active - not good with renal disease as excreted unchanged
129
Describe the general features of tiletamine
- related to ketamine but with a longer duration - used in combination with zolazepam - licensed for IM in small animals but low pH so stings - acts on NMDA receptors - used for darting in zoo animals - also etorphine is used but very dangerous
130
Describe the general features of etomidate
- not lisenced for veterinary used but used in referrals for high risk patients - acts on GABA receptors - no analgesia - poor muscle relaxation - minimal cardiovascular depression - cerebroprotective - can suppress adrenocortical function
131
What should the tidal volume of a breathing circuit be
10mg/kg
132
What would your approach be to intra-operative hypotension in the horse
- check anaesthesia depth - give fluid therapy - is hypovolaemia the cause - are CV deppressive drugs the cause - could administer cardioactive drugs e.g. positive inotropes, vasoconstrictors` - try to tilt the horse to aid circulation and resp
133
What are the consequences of intra-operative hypothermia in a horse?
- cardiovascular changes - bradycardia, hypotension, hypocoagulable blood, increased PCV - Resp changes - hypoventilation, carbon dioxide retention, reduced tissue perfusion - CNS depression - slow recovery - delayed wound healing
134
What can an oesophageal stethoscope measure
heart and resp rate
135
What is the best way to measure cardiac function
arterial blood pressure - invasive or non-invasive technique
136
what are the advantages and disadvantages of the doppler method of measuring arterial blood pressure
advantages - simple technique - non-invasive - inexpensive equipment - good for small animals disadvantages - hair and fat can interfere - gives intermittent measurements - only gives reading for systolic arterial pressure
137
what are the advantages and disadvantages of the oscillometric technique of measuring arterial blood pressure
advantages - simple, non-invasive - measures both systolic and diastolic atrial pressure - continuous - reading every 1-10 mins - also measures mean atrial pressure and heart rate disadvantages - more expensive - doesn't work well if arrhythmias are present
138
What is direct arterial blood pressure monitoring
h