Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
14:52
Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
Published on: January 13, 2018
Conduction abnormalities and anaesthesia
Luisa Santambrogio1, Antonio Braschi
1Anesthesia and Critical Care Department, Civil Hospital, Legnano, Italy. salamina2003@libero.it
Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology
|May 5, 2007
Summary
Identifying patients with inherited arrhythmias (channelopathies) is crucial for preventing sudden cardiac death. Anesthesiologists must carefully consider individual arrhythmia characteristics during perioperative care to mitigate risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Inherited arrhythmias, often due to cardiac ion channel gene mutations, pose a risk for sudden cardiac death.
- The perioperative period can trigger adverse events in patients with these genetic conditions.
- This review examines the anesthesiologic risks associated with inherited arrhythmias in the absence of structural heart disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anesthesiologic risks associated with inherited arrhythmias (channelopathies).
- To highlight the importance of accurate patient identification and risk stratification.
- To discuss current therapeutic and diagnostic challenges in managing these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of genetic analysis identifying ion channel-related genes.
- Electrophysiological studies examining ion current roles in cardiac fibrillation.
- Analysis of clinical phenotypes and histological findings.
Main Results:
- Genetic and electrophysiological studies aid in understanding ion channel function and arrhythmia risk.
- Significant heterogeneity exists in clinical presentation and histological findings, sometimes despite negative noninvasive evaluations.
- Established therapies exist for some ion channel diseases, while others require further research.
Conclusions:
- Therapy and risk stratification remain challenging for certain inherited arrhythmias.
- New diagnostic tools and risk assessment methods are needed.
- Anesthesiologists must exercise caution, considering specific arrhythmia characteristics to prevent perioperative complications in patients with channelopathies.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
01:24General Anesthesia: Overview
Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
01:28Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
01:30Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia
Depending on the target organ, local anesthetics (LAs) can be administered via various routes. In surface anesthesia, LAs are applied directly to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. It is widely used for topical skin numbing before venipuncture or minor surgical procedures. Commonly used surface local anesthetics are lidocaine or benzocaine sprays or creams. Surface anesthesia occurs within 5 minutes and lasts for about 60 minutes. One of the main disadvantages of topical anesthesia is...
01:13Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
The potency and duration of action of local anesthetics (LAs) are determined by their pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics describes how LAs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body. When administered to the vascular tissues, LAs are quickly absorbed and enter the systemic circulation, reducing their localized effects. Adding vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine to LAs reduces their absorption into the systemic circulation, making them clinically effective. The...
01:11Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...