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Perioperative thermoregulation and heat balance
1Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Vienna, Austria. sessler@vaxine.ucsf.edu
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|March 15, 1997
Summary
Anesthesia impairs body temperature regulation, leading to common perioperative hypothermia. This condition, worsened by heat redistribution, increases patient complications, but prevention methods are available.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Physiology
- Surgical Care
Background:
- Anesthesia significantly disrupts the body's ability to regulate core temperature.
- The operating room environment, combined with anesthetic effects, commonly leads to perioperative hypothermia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the mechanisms of anesthetic-induced hypothermia.
- To highlight the impact of hypothermia on patient outcomes.
- To emphasize the availability of preventive strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of thermoregulatory impairment under anesthesia.
- Analysis of heat redistribution as a factor in hypothermia.
- Examination of evidence linking intraoperative hypothermia to complications.
Main Results:
- Both regional and general anesthesia impair thermoregulation.
- Internal heat redistribution is a major contributor to core hypothermia.
- Intraoperative hypothermia (e.g., 2°C decrease) is linked to increased patient complications.
Conclusions:
- Anesthetic management significantly impacts core body temperature regulation.
- Preventing perioperative hypothermia is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Effective methods exist to mitigate the risks associated with hypothermia.