title: Perioperative thermoregulation and heat balance.
abstract: In summary, both regional and general anesthesia markedly impair the normal precise regulation of core body temperature. Consequently, inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is common. Hypothermia develops because the typical operating room environment is cold; however, it is anesthetic-induced impairment of thermoregulatory responses that contributes most. Internal redistribution of body heat is a surprisingly important factor, contributing more to core hypothermia than net heat loss in most patients. There is now convincing evidence that a typical amount of intraoperative hypothermia, say 2 degrees C, predisposes numerous complications and alters patient outcome. Fortunately, effective methods are available for preventing hypothermia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Vienna, Austria. sessler@vaxine.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Sessler
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D000077335:Desflurane; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007101:Immersion; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012768:Shivering; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane