[Transdermal nitroglycerin before induction of anesthesia prevents redistribution hypothermia in patients under general anesthesia].
Initial anesthesic-induced hypothermia results largely from core-to-peripheral redistribution of heat. Administration of transdermal nitroglycerin induces vasodilation. Such vasodilation, induced well before induction of anesthesia, might redistribute heat to peripheral tissues. Minimal redistribution hypothermia might accompany subsequent induction of anesthesia. We studied 32 patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Thirty minutes before induction of anesthesia, they were randomly assigned to: 1. transdermal nitroglycerin 10 mg; 2. transdermal nitroglycerin 5 mg; and, 3. control. Core temperature during the first hour of anesthesia decreased significantly more in the control patients than in those given either dose of nitroglycerin. Vasodilation induced by transdermal nitroglycerin before induction of anesthesia significantly decreased subsequent redistribution hypothermia. Drug-induced modulation of vascular tone thus produces clinically important alterations in intraoperative core temperature.
Morioka
N
N
Department of Anesthesiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University.
Ozaki
M
M
Matsukawa
T
T
Suzuki
H
H
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*