AANA August 2023 Journal Course: Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia: Etiology, Effects, and Prevention-August 2023 Journal Course

August 2023 Journal Course

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This document from the AANA Journal discusses the topic of Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia (IPH) and its implications in the perioperative setting. Hypothermia is defined as a core temperature below 36°C, and IPH refers to the unintentional cooling of a patient's core temperature during surgery. The document explains the physiologic effects of hypothermia, the impact of anesthesia on temperature regulation, risk factors contributing to IPH, and the potential complications associated with IPH.<br /><br />Key points highlighted in the document include the importance of maintaining normothermia (core body temperature above 36°C) to minimize morbidity and mortality. Various factors such as preoperative exposure, ambient room temperature, skin preparation, anesthesia type, and patient characteristics contribute to the development of IPH. Postoperatively, hypothermic patients are at increased risk for complications including surgical site infections, cardiac rhythm disturbances, renal impairment, and coagulopathy.<br /><br />The text emphasizes the significance of temperature monitoring during anesthesia, utilizing warming devices, and implementing active warming strategies to prevent IPH. It discusses the impact of general anesthesia on thermoregulation, noting that anesthetized patients are prone to significant temperature variations. Furthermore, it explores the effects of regional anesthesia on temperature regulation and the heightened risk of IPH in specific populations such as the elderly and neonates.<br /><br />The conclusion stresses the need for anesthesia providers and healthcare teams to assess patients for IPH risk factors, monitor core temperature, and employ warming techniques to prevent inadvertent hypothermia. Overall, the document provides comprehensive insights into the challenges posed by IPH in the perioperative period and highlights the strategies to mitigate its impact on patient outcomes.

Keywords

Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia

Core temperature

Anesthesia

Temperature regulation

Risk factors

Complications

Normothermia

Temperature monitoring

Warming devices

Anesthesia providers