Anaesthesia For Pre-exisiting Conditions Flashcards
(154 cards)
what is stated by the Monroe Kellie hypothesis?
intracranial cavity is filled with brain, CSF and blood
in what ratios is the intracranial cavity filled?
brain - 80%
CSF - 10%
blood - 10%
what can disrupt the blood brain barrier?
trauma
inflammation
hypertension
what percentage of cardiac output does the brain receive?
~15%
why does the brain receive such a large percentage of cardiac output?
has high metabolic rate
what is the consequence of increases in CSF and intracranial blood volume?
raised / altered ICP
what is the brain reliant on to support metabolic rate?
maintenance of intracranial blood volume
what are the main aims when anaesthetising animals with neurological/brain trauma?
maintain cerebral blood flow
reduce or limit increases in ICPh
at is normal ICP?
5-12 mmHg
what are the clinical symptoms of riased ICP
papilledema
abnormal pulsing of retinal vessels
depression
stupor
coma
what is papilledema?
optic disc swelling
what happens if ICP increases?
compensatory mechanisms are initiated (e.g. cushings reflex)
what may happen if ICP continues to rise following initiation of compensatory mechanisms?
mechanisms may become exhausted
why does the cushings reflex occur?
because of the reduction in cerebral blood flow
what is the aim of of the cushings reflex?
decrease intracranial volume / pressure
how is the cushings reflex initiated?
reduction in blood flow causes an accumulation of CO2 as a result of poor perfusion
CO2 is detected by the brain stem and the sympathetic nervous system responds by increasing MAP to improve perfusion to the brain
what are the signs of the cushings reflex?
hypertension
reflex bradycardia
irregular breathing apnoea
what causes the signs of the cushings triad?
accumulation of CO2 as a result of poor perfusion
CO2 is detected by the brain stem and the sympathetic nervous system responds by increasing MAP to improve perfusion to the brain
how can an increase in ICP be prevented during patient care?
avoid coughing
avoid neck leads
adequate depth prior to intubation
avoid pressure on the neck during restraint
avoid jugular samples
avoid straining to urinate / defecate
avoid vomiting / gagging
how can coughing be avoided in patients at risk of raised ICP?
give anti-tussive
what may be involved in the pre-operative assessment of neurological patients?
haem and biochem
electrolytes
glucose
PCV
glasgow coma scale (MGCS)
what must be considered around drug choices when anaesthetising neurological patients?
should not increase ICP or cause dramatic change to MAP
are opioids indicated for use with neurological patients?
yes
what is the effect of opioids on ICP?
do not tend to alter cerebral blood flow or increase ICP too much