Anesthetic management of patients with obesity with and without sleep apnea

The global obesity epidemic presents anesthesia providers with unique and complex challenges as an increasing number of patients with elevated body mass index present for medical care. Pharmacokinetics, respiratory and cardiac physiology, positioning, regional anesthetic techniques, monitoring, and postoperative care are all profoundly affected by increased body mass. In recent years, the occult impact of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea on perioperative morbidity and mortality has marshaled increased attention from both patients and practitioners. A summary and discussion of the Practice Guidelines developed by the American Society of Anesthesiologists regarding the care of patients with obstructive sleep apnea is provided.