Induction agents Flashcards
Classify intravenous induction agents
Rapidly acting (±30 s / 1 x arm-brain circulation time) 1. Propofol (1.5 - 2.5) (kids: 2.5 - 3 mg/kg) 2. Thiopentone (3 - 5) 3. Etomidate (0.1 - 0.3) 4. Ketamine (1 - 2) Slower acting 1. Benzodiazepines (adjunctive) - Midazolam - Diazepam - Lorazepam 2. Neuroleptic + opioid - Droperidol - Haloperidol 3. Large dose opioid - Fentanyl - Alfentanyl - Remifentanyl - Sufentanyl - Morphine
List 4 advantages of IV induction
- Rapid onset 2. Smooth induction: rapid transit through stage 2 anaesthesia (stage of excitement) 3. More pleasant for the patient (unpleasant odour VA) 4. Pollution free
List 4 disadvantages of IV induction
- Requires venipuncture 2. Overdose easy 3. No removal via lungs: Once in, its in (requires: redistribution, metabolism, excretion) 4. Apnoea: Sudden loss of normal protective mechanisms
Describe the mechanism of action of the IV induction agents
Not fully understood Modulate GABA mediated neural transmission –> interefering with transmembrane electrical activity. Ketamine: Opioid receptor agonist but works as an NMDA receptor antagonist
Describe the pharmacokinetic reason why a patient can awaken rapidly after IV induction
Redistribution of drug to tissues with poorer blood supply (muscle and fat). Drug initially active in tissues with rich blood supply (e.g. brain). Thereafter the drug re-distributes to tissues with poorer blood supply. Rapid awakening is NOT due to metabolism or excretion of the drug.
What should the patient be cautioned about after a GA with regard to the first 24 hours afterwards
Increased sensitivity to alcohol/analgaesia/sedatives for 24 hours Partake in no legally binding decisions for 24 hours after an anaesthetic
Briefly describe the metabolism and excretion of the IV induction agents and note when these process become important to the anaesthetist
Metabolism: Liver –> converted to water soluble metabolites. Excretion: KIdney - in urine The importance of excretion and metabolism terminating drug effect increases with HIGH PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS due to multiple doses or continuous IV infusion
What is the difference between TIVA and TCI
TCI = Target Controlled Infusion - The anaesthetist enters demographic information: Age, sex, height and weight - The anaesthetist sets and target concentration for the plasma or for the ‘effect site’ (brain). - A microprocessor within the TCI infusion pump uses the demographic information entered in an algorithm to calculate the required infusion rate required to achieve the set target concentration. - The infusion rate is based on an estimated drug concentration rather than a measured one. TIVA = Total IntraVenous Anaesthesia - An anaesthetic technique which uses IV agents only to induce and maintain anaesthesia. No inhalation agents are used. Syringe pumps designed to be accurate a very low flow rates are used. They usually have a library of agents pre-programmed. TIVA requires a dedicated and monitored IV line to avoid awakening and awareness.
What are the two main models used for TCI
Marsh and Schnider
Describe the physical properties of propofol
Highly lipophilic (crosses BBB)
Is propofol soluble in water? Is propofol fat emulsion soluble in water?
No. Propofol is fat soluble Propofol’s preparation asa fat emulsion is an aqueous solution.
Describe the Propofol’s presentation
Glass ampoule No refrigeration required Fat emulsion - Propofol 1% - Soy bean 10% - Egg phosphatide 1.2% - Glycerol 2.25%
How long after an ampoule of propofol is opened should it be discarded and why?
6 hours. It is a fat emulsion and may act as a culture medium
What concentration of propofol is usually used for long infusions
2% (20, 50 and 100 ml ampoules are available)
What is the incidence of pain on injection of propofol?
30 - 40%
Do patients with egg allergy react to propofol.
Not usually
What are the uses of propofol
Induction Maintenance Sedation
What is the induction, maintenance and sedation dose for propofol
Induction: 1 - 2 mg/kg Maintenance: - TCI: 4 - 8 ug/ml. - TIVA 6 -12 mg/kg/hr Sedation: - TCI: 0.1 - 2.5 ug/ml - TIVA: 1.5 - 3 mg/kg/hr
What is the protein binding of propofol
98%
What is the Volume of Distribution of propofol compared to the other rapid acting induction agents
Propofol: 4L/kg Ketamine: 3L/kg Etomidate: 3L/kg Thiopentone: 2.5 L/kg
How does propofol’s clearance compare to hepatic blood flow?
Exceeds it. This means that some degree of extra-hepatic metabolism occurs
Describe the metabolism of propofol
Mostly hepatic - 40% conjugated to glucoronide - 60% metabolized to quinol (glucoronide and sulfate) All metabolites are inactive and excreted in urine
Compare the clearance of propofol to that of the other induction agents and state the relevance of this
Propofol: 30 - 60 ml/kg/min Thipentone: 3.5 ml/kg/min Ketamine: 17 ml/kg/min Etomidate: 10 - 20 ml/kg/min Propofol has the highest clearance - plasma levels fall more rapidly than other IV agents following the initial distribution phase
What is the terminal elimination half life of propofol
5 - 12 hours
