Anesthesia Fast Facts

Mallampati Classification

A system for evaluating the oropharynx based on visibility of structures when the patient opens their mouth and sticks out their tongue.

Class I Mallampati

Entire uvula and tonsillar pillars visible.

Class II Mallampati

Tip of uvula and tonsillar pillars hidden by tongue.

Class III Mallampati

Only soft palate visible.

Class IV Mallampati

Only hard palate visible.

ASA Physical Status Classification

A classification system that assesses the physical state of patients prior to anesthesia.

ASA-I

Healthy patient with no systemic disease.

ASA-II

Patient with mild systemic disease, but no functional limitations.

ASA-III

Patient with moderate to severe systemic disease, having some functional limitations.

ASA-IV

Patient with severe systemic disease, incapacitating, and a constant threat to life.

ASA-V

Moribund patient not expected to survive more than 24 hours without surgery.

Commonly Used Medication: Volatile Anesthetics

Inhalation agents used for anesthesia, varying in properties and effects.

Halothane

A volatile anesthetic that is cheap and non-irritating but has a long time to onset/offset and significant myocardial depression.

Isoflurane

A volatile anesthetic that preserves organ blood flow but is irritating and has a long onset/off time.

Sevoflurane

A rapid on/off volatile anesthetic that is non-irritating and used for inhalation induction but is expensive.

Desflurane

A volatile anesthetic with extremely rapid onset/offset, but can irritate the airway and stimulates catecholamine release.

Nitrous Oxide

A gas used in anesthesia that decreases the requirement for volatile agents but has several potential negative effects.

IV Anesthetics

Anesthetics that provide rapid onset and short duration effects through intravenous administration.

Thiopental

An IV anesthetic known for excellent brain protection that can cause myocardial depression.

Propofol

A fast-acting IV anesthetic that is cheap and prevents nausea, though it can cause pain on injection.

Etomidate

An IV anesthetic with the least myocardial effect among IV anesthetics but can cause adrenal suppression.

Ketamine

An anesthetic that can be used via multiple routes and is good for uncooperative patients, but has dissociative effects.

Local Anesthetics

Medications used to induce loss of sensation in a specific area.

Esters vs Amides

Esters are metabolized by plasma esterases and may cause allergic reactions; Amides are metabolized by hepatic enzymes.

Muscle Relaxants

Medications used to induce paralysis for surgical procedures.

Succinylcholine

A depolarizing muscle relaxant that can trigger malignant hyperthermia.

Malignant Hyperthermia

A life-threatening condition triggered by certain anesthetics, characterized by uncontrolled muscle contraction and hypermetabolism.

Dantrolene

A medication used to treat malignant hyperthermia by stopping the muscle contractions.

Reversal Agents

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that counteract the effects of neuromuscular blockers.

Anticholinergics

Medications used to block muscarinic effects of cholinergic stimulation and treat bradycardia.