Anaesthetics notes Flashcards
Mendelson’s syndrome and main RF
chemical pneumonitis due to aspiration of reflux during anaesthesia.
Main RF = pregnancy
what is sellick’s maneovre
This involves digital pressure against the cricoid cartilage of the larynx, pushing it backwards. The oesophagus is thus compressed between the posterior aspect of the cricoid and the vertebrae behind. The cricoid is used because it forms the only complete ring of the larynx and trachea.
The cricoid is located at the level of C6. Moderate pressure may be applied before loss of consciousness, and firmer pressure maintained until the cuff of the tracheal tube is inflated.
risks of anaesthesia in early and late pregnancy
early - teratogenicity of drugs, spontaneous miscarriage
late - preterm labour, reflux, failed intubation
mandatory manovres for people with reflux
RSI with cricoid pressure
starvation for 6hrs
if obstetric, also use h2 antagonist and ppi (evidence is sparse)
what physical airway problems can there be in pre-op assessment
congenital (pierre robin/treacher collins) neck fusion (ank spond/arthritis) neck instability (fractures, atlantoaxial instability)
can you have halothane more than once in your life?
Yes, but not more than once in any 3 month period
it is rarely used in uk anymore
important things to elicit in family history
suxamethonium apnoea
malignant hyperthermia
inherited porphyria
dystrophia myotonia
what is suxamethonium apnoea
Sux is a neuromuscular blocker
plasma cholinesterase activity is reduced in some people due to either genetic variation or acquired conditions, which results in a prolonged duration of neuromuscular block.
physiology of malignant hyperthermia
mutation of the ryanodine receptor (type 1), located on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), the organelle within skeletal muscle cells that stores calcium.[10][11] RYR1 opens in response to increases in intracellular Ca2+
level mediated by L-type calcium channels, thereby resulting in a drastic increase in intracellular calcium levels and muscle contraction.
symptoms of malignant hyperthermia
Symptoms include muscle rigidity, high fever, and a fast heart rate.[1] Complications can include rhabdomyolysis and high blood potassium
what does smoking increase the risk of in terms of anaesthetic worry
bronchospasm due to reactivity of airways and increased mucus production
and the carboxyhaemoglobin doesn’t help
how does chronic alcohol use affect anaesthetic
tolerance to sedation so may need more
what is thyromental distance
Thyromental distance (TMD) measurement is a method commonly used to predict the difficulty of intubation[1] and is measured from the thyroid notch to the tip of the jaw with the head extended.[2] If it is less than 7.0 cm with hard scarred tissues, it indicates possible difficult intubation
how to do pre-op assessment
- confirm patient details and procedure and consent
- how are you doing today
- SR (incl pregnancy)
- PMH/PAH
Anything you see GP for
Breathing problems (COPD,asthma)
Circulatory problems (heart, lungs, kidneys, peripheral arterial)
Diabetes and stroke
Everything else (haematology)
ANY PREVIOUS REACTIONS TO ANAESTHESIA - DH. current med, allergies
- FH. anaesthetics, malignant hyperthermia, sux reaction, porphyria
- SH. how are you getting home. alcohol. smoking.
- ICE
examination
- general
- airway (dentition, thyromental distance, mallampati score, range of neck movement)
- lungs, heart, pulse
Main anaesthetic risk factors
ASS PRICHAD
age (risk of death doubles every 7 years over the age of 10) sex (men 1.7x) socioeconomic status (poor 2x) (conditions 1.5x) peripheral arterial disease, renal disease ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, aerobic fitness, diabetes (3x for type 1, 2x for type 2)
do you stop aspirin before surgery
only if on the brain, spinal cord or prostate. in which case you stop it 5 days before
do you stop statins
no
do you stop amlodipine
no
do you stop ACEi
why
often omit the morning dose prior to surgery
Patients taking ACE inhibitors are more likely to have profound hypotensive episodes with regional and general anaesthesia.
Many anaesthetists will stop ACE inhibitors in patients at risk of major haemorrhage or those planned for epidural anaesthesia.
do you stop diuretics
no
do you stop warfarin
you can continue it in following scenarios because of low risk of bleeding:
- eye
- dental
- endoscopies
otherwise, replace warfarin with SC heparin and INR should be <2 before surgery
do you stop clopidogrel
yes, 5 days before surgery
do you stop digoxin
depends, check toxicity prior to surgery and plasma K+
do you stop diabetic drugs
long acting drugs are normally stopped, yes. Often around surgery permissive hyperglycaemia is allowed as risk of hypo is too great.