COVID-19: Anaesthesia Resources

In response to the nationwide shortage of isoflurane, BSAVA is pleased to have commissioned a webinar presented by Ian Self, European Specialist and Associate Professor in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, to help you manage your small animal patients during these challenging times. The webinar will cover the use of low flow anaesthesia and monitoring techniques to spare gaseous anaesthetic agents as well as tips on partial and total intravenous anaesthesia (PIVA and TIVA) and analgesia. This webinar has been designed to answer the clinical questions that our membership have submitted to us since the shortage was announced. Go to the supplementary data tab to access the webinar.

Breathing systems are interposed between an anaesthetic machine and an endotracheal tube, facemask. They serve to: deliver oxygen and volatile anaesthetic agents from the anaesthetic machine to the patient; remove carbon dioxide exhaled by the patient and provide a means of ventilating the lungs. This chapters looks at the basic components of breathing systems and their function, names and classification of breathing systems, low-flow anaesthesia, leak testing of breathing systems, the common hazards and their maintenance, endotracheal tubes, facemasks, laryngoscopes, induction chambers and humidifiers.

Inhalant anaesthetic agents are a popular choice for general anaesthesia, but they do have a range of significant adverse effects. The judicious use of balanced anaesthesia techniques and appropriate management can limit the occurrence and impact of adverse effects. This chapter considers the ideal inhalant anaesthetic agent, induction and recovery, potency, effects of inhalants on the body, nitrous oxide, cost and use comparison of volatile anaesthetic agents, workplace exposure and environmental considerations.

General anaesthesia carries an inherent risk for every patient. Checking the equipment before every anaesthetic and selecting an appropriate anaesthetic protocol on the basis of a thorough history and pre-anaesthetic examination of the patient will help to reduce the risk. This chapter considers clinical monitoring, monitoring equipment and guidelines for monitoring.

 Capnography is relatively simple to perform and is very useful to monitor patients under general anaesthesia. Karen Walsh explores the complex wave forms and how to interpret them.

This chapter is designed to give information on the environmental conditions that should be maintained in each clinical area; methods of prevention and spread of infection, including methods of cleaning; methods of waste disposal; Isolation and barrier nursing; and the management of stock in the veterinary practice.