Background: Hypothermia results from heat loss exceeding heat production. Core temperature during this phase therefore depends on system heat balance. Because anesthetics profoundly impair thermoregulatory control factors that increase thermogenesis or reduce loss of heat to the environment, they moderate the rate at which intraoperative hypothermia develops. We evaluate the ability of amino acids infusion to prevent anesthesia induced hypothermia and postoperative shivering in patients receiving anesthesia. Methods: 80 patients, with ASA physical status I & II undergoing abdominal surgeries or orthopedic who were randomly allocated into 2 groups, each one subdivided into two groups: Group I: (n=40) under general anesthesia: subdivided into Group Ia: (n=20) received amino acids intravenously infusion. Group Ib: (n=20) received corresponding volumes of nutrient-free saline solution intravenously infused. Group II: (n=40) under spinal anesthesia Subdivided into two groups: Group IIa: (n=20) received amino acids intravenously infusion. Group IIb (control group): (n=20) received corresponding volumes of nutrient-free saline solution intravenously infused. Core body temperature was continuously monitored via rectal thermistor probe, Surface (skin) temperature was monitored; Arterial blood gases and pH analysis, serum cortical, serum glucose and serum lactate was done every 30 min. All patients were assessed every 30 min in the first 2 hours c Pain at rest was scored on the visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: The study revealed that preoperative amino acids infusion decreased significantly the magnitude of anesthesia induced hypothermia and enhanced the rate of recovery from it. The rate of postoperative shivering was significantly reducing in amino acids treated groups. Hypothermia induced postoperative adverse effects as hypertension and shivering associated increased postoperative pain and hypoventilation were significantly reduced by the infusion of amino acids .Arterial blood gases, pH analysis, serum glucose, serum cortical and serum lactate were nearly comparable in the studied groups, suggesting that the amino acids infusion did not produce uncompensated metabolic or respiratory stress for patients receiving it. Conclusion: It can be concluded that amino acids infusions restore core body temperature and almost eliminated postoperative shivering. |
