Abstract
Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia occurs in approximately 50% to 70%1 of all surgical patients, and is a risk for anyone undergoing general or neuraxial anesthesia, yet it can be prevented. Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature of less than 36 degrees Celsius.1-10 Body temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus. Once anesthesia is induced, the body's ability to regulate temperature is reduced4 and the body's ability to produce heat is decreased. General and neuraxial anesthesia have a vasodilatory effect to the body, which causes a core-to-peripheral shift in body heat. This redistribution of heat contributes to 65%-81%4 of the total decrease in core temperature. Core temperatures can decrease 1.6 degrees Celsius within the first hour, and the average patient has a core heat temperature loss of 1 to 3 degrees Celsius. The most clinically relevant site for measuring normothermia is the blood flow to the hypothalamus in the brain. The gold standard for invasive core temperature monitoring is the pulmonary artery. Since it is not feasible to monitor pulmonary artery temperatures, tympanic, esophageal, and nasopharyngeal temperatures are used as reliable measurements. In general anesthesia esophageal temperature measurements are preferred because of the proximity to the aorta.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Other Graduate Paper
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Prewarming, Pre-warming, preoperative, Hypothermia, Active Warming, Preventing Perioperative Hypothermia
Advisor
Chandler, Holly
Degree
Doctoral-Other
Degree Grantor
Bryan College of Health Sciences
Degree Year
2019
Recommended Citation
Yancy, Heather J., "Preoperative pre-warming versus no preoperative pre-warming and intraoperative hypothermia: An evidence-based practice analysis" (2024). Group: Bryan College of Health Sciences Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Collection. 39.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/group_bryan_dnap/39
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Review Type
Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Full Text of Presentation
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