The effects of anaesthesia on the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems during inhalational anaesthesia: A case report.

Our understanding of the effects of anaesthesia is incomplete. Anaesthesia works primarily by causing widespread depression of the central nervous system. This article will consider the anaesthesia provided for a patient undergoing a hysteroscopy, endometrial ablation and biopsy for abnormal uterine bleeding. The relationship between physiology and the effects of anaesthesia is discussed. Several effects of anaesthesia are observed during the case. Relating to the respiratory system, preoxygenation increased end tidal oxygen by 39%, delaying desaturation during apnoea. Propofol had a profound effect on the patient's respiratory rate by inhibiting the ventilatory drive, resulting in apnoea. The cardiovascular system was affected by tracheal intubation. Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system caused a 96% increase in heart rate. Induction of anaesthesia resulted in hypotension, treated with the administration of ephedrine, causing vasoconstriction. Modified rapid sequence induction required an increased dose of rocuronium, resulting in an increased duration of action at the neuromuscular junction. The prolonging muscle paralysis required sugammadex as a reversal agent. This case demonstrated the effects of anaesthesia on the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems.