Anesthetic Implications of Concurrent Diseases
Key Points ▪ The history and physical examination most accurately predict the risks of anesthesia and the likelihood of required changes in monitoring or therapy. ▪ For diabetic patients, end-organ…
Implantable Cardiac Pulse Generators: Pacemakers and Cardioverter-Defibrillators
▪ Identify the type of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) (pacemaker, transvenous defibrillator, subcutaneous defibrillator), as well as the generator manufacturer and model of the CIED. ▪ Contact the physician…
Neuromuscular Disorders Including Malignant Hyperthermia and Other Genetic Disorders
Key WordsCharcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, Dantrolene, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Malignant Hyperthermia, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Ryanodine Key Points ▪ Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disorder inherited primarily in an autosomal dominant…
Intravenous Anesthetics
Key Points ▪ The introduction of thiopental into clinical practice in 1934 marked the beginning of modern intravenous (IV) anesthesia. Today, IV anesthetics are used for induction and maintenance of…
Pharmacology of Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs
Key Points ▪ Two different populations of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors exist at the mammalian neuromuscular junction. In the adult, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the postsynaptic (muscular) membrane is composed…
Inhaled Anesthetic Uptake, Distribution, Metabolism, and Toxicity
Key Points ▪ The alveolar anesthetic concentration (F A ) or partial pressure (P alv ) is important because it is the driving force determining anesthetic uptake into blood and…
Anesthetic Implications of Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Key Points ▪ Herbal medication use has increased dramatically in the overall population and particularly in preoperative patients. ▪ Patients might not volunteer information unless they are queried specifically about…
Local Anesthetics
Key Points ▪ Local anesthetics block voltage-gated sodium channels and thereby interrupt initiation and propagation of impulses in axons, but they have a wide variety of other biologic actions, desirable…
Risk of Anesthesia
Key Points ▪ Perioperative risk is multifactorial and may occur as a result of anesthesia-, surgery-, and/or patient-specific factors. ▪ Anesthesia-related (and surgery-related) risk is typically defined as morbidity and…
Gastrointestinal Physiology and Pathophysiology
Key Points ▪ The gastrointestinal (GI) tract forms a long tube from mouth to anus and its main functions are motility, digestion, absorption, excretion, and circulation. Each component of the…
