[Anaesthetic preoperative assessment of chronic medications and herbal medicine use: a multicenter survey].
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to quantify the use of chronic medication and herbal remedies in the presurgical population.


METHODS
Prospective multicenter survey.


METHODS
Adult patients presenting for anaesthesia were directly asked if they were currently using chronic medication or herbal remedies.


RESULTS
Among 1057 patients (age 54+/-17 yrs, woman 54%, ASA 2 [1-4], 74%) were taking one or more chronic medication. The most commonly used treatments were, in descending order angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (15%), beta blockers (11%) and platelet inhibitors (10%). Also, 9% were taking one or more of the following herbal remedies known to interact with the perioperative period: valeriane, ginseng, ginkgo, St John's wort, echinacea and ephedra. Women and patients aged 40-70 yr were most likely to be taking a herbal product (p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic medication and herbal remedies are common in patients presenting for anaesthesia. Because of the potential interactions between anaesthetic drugs or techniques and such medication it is important for anaesthetists to be aware of their use.
Baillard
C
C
Départements d'anesthésie-réanimation, CHU Avicenne, EA 3409, 93009 Bobigny, France. christophe.baillard@avc.aphp.fr
Bianchi
A
A
Gehan
G
G
Sitbon
P
P
Denantes
C
C
Benhamou
D
D
Cupa
M
M
Samama
C-M
CM
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020900:Echinacea; D029789:Ephedra; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006306:Health Surveys; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014632:Valerian
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000777:Anesthetics; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors