Photo: Anna Shvets

What drug do they give you before anesthesia?

Common medications include propofol, fentanyl, midazolam, and the inhaled fluorinated ethers such as sevoflurane and desflurane.

uclahealth.org - What Medications Should Patients Take Before Surgery? - UCLA Health

Can dark chocolate raise your blood pressure?

Eating dark chocolate is a great way to incorporate more cacao into your diet, which can help to lower your high blood pressure! The flavonoids in...

Last updated Apr 4, 2022

Does vitamin C and zinc cause weight gain?

The short answer is no, but if you are having troubles with weight gain and are taking dietary supplements, then read on. Nov 30, 2020

Last updated May 9, 2018

Promotion

Most medications should be taken on the patient’s usual schedule the day before the scheduled procedure. We recommend that patients not take most oral medications within 8 hours of their scheduled arrival time, because many medications can cause stomach irritation or nausea if taken without food. Many medications are available in IV form, and can be given during or after anesthesia when necessary. This question becomes more complicated for antihypertensive medications, anticoagulants, antiplatelet therapy, and pain medications.

Antihypertensive medications

Nearly all the medications commonly used for general anesthesia and sedation have the effect of lowering blood pressure and reducing sympathetic tone; some of them depress cardiac function as well. Common medications include propofol, fentanyl, midazolam, and the inhaled fluorinated ethers such as sevoflurane and desflurane. For this reason, caution should be used in telling patients to take all antihypertensive medications on the morning of surgery, as significant hypotension may result during anesthesia. Beta blockers: Consensus opinion from the ACC/AHA in 2014 advises that patients who are already on beta blockers should continue to take them during the perioperative period. However, initiating beta blockade shortly before noncardiac surgery was associated with fewer nonfatal MIs but a higher rate of stroke, death, hypotension, and bradycardia. We advise patients to take their usual dose of a beta blocker on the morning of surgery with a sip of water. ARBs and ACE inhibitors: A recent large prospective cohort study found that patients who did not take ARBs or ACE inhibitors in the 24 hours before noncardiac surgery were less likely to suffer intraoperative hypotension and the primary composite outcome of all-cause death, stroke, or myocardial injury. Unless a patient’s hypertension is very difficult to control, it may be best to withhold ARBs and ACE inhibitors within 12-24 hours of a procedure under anesthesia. Diuretics: If the patient is taking a diuretic for treatment of hypertension, consider holding the diuretic on the morning of surgery in order to avoid dehydration while the patient is NPO. However, if the patient has severe liver disease or congestive heart failure, it may be best to continue diuretic therapy.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapy

What happens if you take fish oil everyday?

When taken by mouth: Fish oil is likely safe for most people in doses of 3 grams or less daily. Taking more than 3 grams daily might increase the...

Last updated Apr 27, 2020

What are the signs of being unhealthy?

7 Weird Signs That Could Mean You're Really Unhealthy Swollen Legs. Are your lower extremities looking especially swole (and not because you've...

Last updated Dec 14, 2018

Promotion

The surgeon or the physician performing the procedure often requests that anticoagulants or antiplatelet therapy be discontinued for several days to a week in advance of surgery. If you feel that it is not in your patient’s best interest to hold these medications, it is best to discuss this with the surgeon in advance. Often, low-dose aspirin can be continued throughout the perioperative period without increasing the risk of bleeding for many routine procedures, and it may protect the patency of drug-eluting coronary stents. However, in some circumstances such as intracranial surgery, the risk of bleeding may be unacceptable. In a 2016 update on dual antiplatelet therapy, ACC/AHA guidelines advise: “Decisions about the timing of surgery and whether to discontinue DAPT after coronary stent implantation are best individualized. Such decisions involve weighing the particular surgical procedure and the risks of delaying the procedure, the risks of ischemia and stent thrombosis, and the risk and consequences of bleeding. Given the complexity of these considerations, decisions are best determined by a consensus of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, cardiologist, and patient.”

Pain medications

Patients who are on opioid treatment for acute or chronic pain may be advised to take their medications with a sip of water up to two hours before the time of surgery. Fentanyl patches may be used per the patient's routine; it is helpful for the patient or family to make a note of the time and date of placement, and inform the anesthesia team. Patients with severe opioid dependence, especially those who are taking Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) or methadone as maintenance therapy, should be referred for a Pre-surgical Pain Medicine consultation, as postoperative pain management in these patients presents special challenges.

uclahealth.org - What Medications Should Patients Take Before Surgery? - UCLA Health

What animal has eaten the most humans?

Individual man-eater death tolls include: 436 — Champawat tiger (Nepal/India) 400 — Leopard of Panar (Northern India) 300+ — Gustave (crocodile)...

Last updated May 20, 2019

Where is the most common site for squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin most often occurs on sun-exposed skin, such as your scalp, the backs of your hands, your ears or your lips. But...

Last updated Aug 3, 2018

Promotion

Is there a cure for prostate?

There is no cure for metastatic prostate cancer, but it is often treatable for quite some time. Many people outlive their prostate cancer, even...

Last updated Jun 8, 2021

Promotion

Does beer affect PSA levels?

Does alcohol affect PSA test? According to studies, alcohol does affect your PSA test levels. Your alcohol intake can lower your PSA test levels by...

Last updated Mar 7, 2021