Temperature Monitoring

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Temperature Monitoring - Why We Sweat It

  • Why Monitor? Prevents perioperative hypothermia complications (e.g., coagulopathy, ↑infection risk, delayed recovery, cardiac events).
  • Normal Core Temp: 36.5-37.5°C.
  • Core vs. Peripheral:
    • Core (e.g., pulmonary artery, distal esophagus, nasopharynx, tympanic membrane): Reflects true body temperature.
    • Peripheral (e.g., skin, axilla): Variable; influenced by environment & vasoconstriction.
  • Thermoregulation & Anesthesia:
    • Normal responses: Vasoconstriction, shivering, non-shivering thermogenesis (NST), sweating.
    • Anesthesia: Impairs central regulation, ↓thresholds for vasoconstriction & shivering; abolishes behavioral responses.

    ⭐ Anesthesia abolishes behavioral responses and impairs autonomic thermoregulation, leading to a core-to-peripheral redistribution of heat.

  • Mechanisms of Heat Loss (R>Cv>Ev>Cd):
    • Radiation (~60%): To cooler objects not in direct contact.
    • Convection (~15-30%): To moving air currents.
    • Evaporation (~20%): From skin, open wounds, respiratory tract.
    • Conduction (~5%): To cooler surfaces in direct contact (e.g., OR table). Mechanisms of perioperative heat loss

Temperature Monitoring - Probing the Degrees

Core temperature: 36.5-37.5°C. Perioperative hypothermia (< 36°C) is common.

Monitoring Sites:

SiteTypeAdvantagesDisadvantagesClinical Notes
Pulmonary ArteryCoreGold standard; heart/brain tempInvasive; complications riskCardiac/major vascular surgery.
Distal EsophagusCoreReliable core tempMisplacement (cool gases)Lower 1/3-1/4; most surgeries.
NasopharynxCoreNear brain; less invasiveEpistaxis; airway gas effectPosterior nasopharynx.
Tympanic MembraneCoreBrain temp (carotid)Cerumen; placement criticalSpecific sensor; hypothalamic supply.
RectalIntermediateEasy accessSlow response; contaminationLags core by 0.5-1°C.
BladderIntermediateCore if urine > 0.5 mL/kg/hrLow urine output effectFoley sensor.
AxillaryPeripheralNon-invasiveUnreliable; ambient tempNot for precise core.
SkinPeripheralEasy; non-invasivePoor core correlation; sweatForehead strips inaccurate.

Device Types:

  • Thermistors: Semiconductor; resistance ↓ with ↑ temp. Most common.
  • Thermocouples: Voltage at junction of two dissimilar metals; proportional to temp.
  • Liquid Crystal Devices: Change color at specific temps. Skin patches.
  • Infrared Thermometers: Detect thermal radiation. Tympanic, temporal artery.

Temperature Monitoring Sites

Temperature Monitoring - The Big Chill

Perioperative hypothermia: Core temp < 36°C.

⭐ Mild perioperative hypothermia (core temperature 34-36°C) significantly increases risk of surgical site infections, adverse myocardial outcomes, and impaired coagulation.

  • Phases (Intraop Hypothermia):
    • Redistribution: Rapid initial ↓ (1st hr)
    • Linear Decline: Heat loss > production
    • Plateau: Vasoconstriction / warming balances
  • Risk Factors: Anesthetics, cold OR/fluids, large incisions, long surgery, age extremes, low BMI, ASA >II.
  • Adverse Effects:
    • Cardiac: Arrhythmias, ischemia
    • Coagulopathy: Platelet dysfunction, ↓enzyme activity
    • SSI: Impaired immunity, vasoconstriction (↓tissue O2)
    • Delayed drug metabolism
    • Shivering: ↑O2 consumption (400-500%), ↑CO2, ↑ICP/IOP
  • Prevention & Management:
    • Pre-warming (30-60 min); Passive insulation (blankets)
    • Active warming: Forced air, fluid warmers, ↑OR temp (>21°C)
    • Monitor core temp (esophagus, nasopharynx, bladder, tympanic)

Anesthesia and Patient Temperature Regulation Infographic

Temperature Monitoring - Fever Pitch

  • Perioperative Hyperthermia: Core temp > 38°C (not due to warming).
  • Causes: Malignant Hyperthermia (MH), sepsis, drugs (atropine), thyrotoxicosis, transfusion reactions, NMS, iatrogenic.
    • Malignant Hyperthermia: Signs, Symptoms, and Comments
  • Malignant Hyperthermia (MH):
    • Genetic; Triggers: Volatiles, succinylcholine.
    • Signs: ↑ETCO2 (early!), tachycardia, muscle rigidity, rhabdomyolysis, ↑temp (late).

    ⭐ Unexplained, persistent increase in end-tidal CO2 (hypercarbia) is often the earliest and most sensitive sign of Malignant Hyperthermia.

    • Rx: Stop triggers, dantrolene 2.5 mg/kg IV, 100% O2, cooling.
  • Consequences (severe): CNS dysfunction, multi-organ failure.
  • Management: Treat cause, active cooling, support.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Core temperature monitoring is vital; pulmonary artery (gold standard), distal esophagus, nasopharynx are key sites.
  • Peripheral sites (skin, axilla) lag behind core changes, less reliable.
  • Hypothermia (<36°C) under anesthesia risks coagulopathy, infection, shivering, delayed recovery.
  • Malignant Hyperthermia (MH): early sign is unexplained ↑ETCO2, late sign is rapid ↑temperature.
  • Shivering dramatically increases oxygen consumption (↑VO2).
  • Radiation is the main mechanism of intraoperative heat loss.
  • Thermistors are common in temperature probes.

Practice Questions: Temperature Monitoring

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Which does not cause malignant hyperthermia –

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Flashcards: Temperature Monitoring

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Shivering will lead to a falsely _____ in reading on pulse oximeter

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Shivering will lead to a falsely _____ in reading on pulse oximeter

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