Post Anesthesia Respiratory Depression

Overview

Post-anesthesia respiratory depression is one of the complications that occur immediately after the surgery. Respiratory depression is when the breathing rate reduces and breathing becomes shallow. Anesthesia that is used during the surgery causes the central nervous system to be depressed. This will affect respiration since respiration is controlled by the central nervous system. However, during the surgery, mechanical ventilation and oxygen keep the respiratory rate and oxygen levels in the blood within the normal range. Factors that leads to post anesthesia respiratory depression are the age of the patient, the general health of a patient, underlying comorbidities, types of anesthesia used, the dose of anesthesia used, type of surgery, duration of surgery, preoperative and intraoperative care and postoperative management. It is important to monitor the oxygen saturation, carbon dioxide levels, respiratory rate, heart rate, and other vitals during and after the anesthesia administration. Early diagnosis and management of post-anesthesia respiratory depression are critical to prevent complications such as respiratory failure and death.