Skip to main content

Orthopedics Torniquets....The Physiological cost..part 1




Tourniquets have significant risks, and these risks and the strategies to minimize them should be part of the knowledge base of all practicing anesthesiologists.

Limb exsanguination causes an increase in central blood volume that is reflected as a transient rise in central venous pressure.
Tourniquet inflation also causes an increase in afterload. Patients with diminished cardiac function may not be able to tolerate this combined insult of increased preload and afterload.

After tourniquet deflation, preload decreases acutely as blood reenters the affected extremity, which undergoes a period of postischemic reactive hyperemia. This
is accompanied by an acute decrease in afterload that often produces hypotension.

During limb ischemia, oxygen and high-energy phosphate stores decrease progressively, and carbon dioxide and lactic acid levels rise as ischemic tissues convert to anaerobic metabolism.

The pH of the ischemic limb decreases as the duration of ischemia increases.

After tourniquet deflation, aerobic metabolism resumes, with marked increases in oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

Systemic partial pressure of carbon dioxide increases in this interval, and pH transiently decreases as a result of combined metabolic and respiratory acidosis.

Ultrastructural changes within the endothelium of the ischemic capillaries lead to diffuse capillary leak after reperfusion.

In conjunction with reactive hyperemia, significant edema can develop after tourniquet deflation. This can even lead to a compartment syndrome in the affected extremity.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters

Clinical experience with power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters in intensive care patients     Introduction In intensive care units (ICU), peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) may be an alternative option to standard central venous catheters, particularly in patients with coagulation disorders or at high risk for infection. Some limits of PICCs (such as low flow rates) may be overcome by the use of power-injectable catheters . Method We have retrospectively reviewed all the power injectable PICCs inserted in adult and pediatric patients in the ICU during a 12-month period, focusing on the rate of complications at insertion and during maintenance. Results We have collected 89 power injectable PICCs (in adults and in children), both multiple and single lumen. All insertions were successful. There were no major complications at insertion and no episodes of catheter-related blood stream infection. Non-infective complications ...

Falling from Height...The Prognostic factors

Falls from Height is Knwon to cause major morbidities and mortalities.  There are several prognostic factors for survival that have been identified: Height Age Type of surface Body part that touches the ground first Two other factors are important, but do not have a significant effect on mortality: Circumstances of the fall (suicide, accident, escape) Initial impact with an object before impacting the ground Height . Overall, about half of victims die at the scene, and a total of 70% die before they reach the hospital . The median height leading to death is about 49 feet, or about 4 to 5 storeys. 100% of victims die after falling 85 feet, or about 8 storeys. Age . Mortality increases with age due to pre-existing medical conditions and decreased physiologic reserve. Type of surface . The type of surface struck (i.e. grass, water, construction debris) can also have an effect on secondary injuries and survival. Mortality after striking a hard surface is nearly doubl...

Things to Avoid in Anesthesia for Pregnant with Pulmonary hypertension

Anesthesia for Pregnant woman with Pulmonary Hypertension is a real challenge for anesthesiologist. It is very crucial to remember the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension in pregnant women and to avoid some practices that will worsen the cardiac status. 1-Avoid single shot spinal anesthesia. Some authorities consider pulmonary hypertension as absolute contraindication for single shot spinal anesthesia specially in patients with NYHA III ,IV. Spinal anesthesia causes major hemodynamic instability(decrease SVR, decrease VR, decrease in CO) The preferred neuroaxial techniques are (epidural anesthesia and CSE with minimal spinal dose) 2-Avoid PAC. Pulmonary Artery catheters insertion may lead to pulmonary artery rupture or thrombosis. TEE is better cardiac monitor/Arteial line is mandatory. 3-Avoid Nitrous oxide in gas mixture.N2O increase the PVR 4-If MV to be started, avoid High TV and PEEP 5-Avoid Oxytocin Boluses, or rapid administration of Pitocin. Oxytocin causes ...