Asthma Helpline Asthma symptoms Asthma diagnosis & treatment
Asthma Helpline is probably the best patient education site for asthma patients. Contents of Asthma Helpline are written and edited by medical expert in Respiratory Medicine. The content of Asthma Helpline is for informational purpose only. It is not intended to replace evaluation and advice by a physician. Website contains FAQs, blog, forum and probably every thing you want to know about asthma.
Comments
What are the complications/ risks of surgery in Asthma patient?
Patients who have asthma are at risk for specific complications during and after surgery. These complications include:
Acute bronchoconstriction triggered by intubation,
Hypoxemia and
Possible hypercapnia,
Impaired effectiveness of cough,
Atelectasis, and
Respiratory infection
Latex exposure (allergy)
Allergy to some anesthetic agents
The likelihood of these complications depends on the severity of the patient’s airway hyperresponsiveness, airflow obstruction, mucus hypersecretions, latex sensitivity, and history of prior surgeries, because the latter is a risk factor for both latex and anesthetic agent sensitivities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are the actions to be taken before surgery in asthma patients:
Patients who have asthma should have an evaluation before surgery that includes a review of symptoms, medication use (particularly the use of oral systemic corticosteroids for longer than 2 weeks in the past 6 months), and measurement of pulmonary function.
If possible, attempts should be made to improve lung function preoperatively (FEV1 or peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR]) to either their predicted values or their personal best level. A short course of oral systemic corticosteroids may be necessary to optimize lung function.
For patients who have received oral systemic corticosteroids during the past 6 months and for selected patients on a long-term high dose of an ICS, give 100 mg hydrocortisone every 8 hours intravenously during the surgical period and reduce the dose rapidly within 24 hours after surgery.
Stress doses of corticosteroids may be considered for select patients treated with prior high-dose ICS therapy as well, because clinically important adrenal suppression has been reported in such patients, particularly children.
Asthma Am I suffering from asthma