05.07.2014 Views

Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

Understanding Anesthesiology - The Global Regional Anesthesia ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Adrenal suppression<br />

If a patient is receiving exogenous systemic corticosteroids for more than a week, he or she<br />

will begin to experience suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. When this<br />

endogenous pathway shuts down, the adrenal gland atrophies and takes at least 3 months to<br />

recover its function once suppression abates.<br />

Until adrenal function is fully recovered, the patient may experience adrenal insufficiency<br />

when exposed to the stresses of illness and surgery. Clinical guidelines exist to estimate the<br />

need for steroid replacement in patients at risk for adrenal suppression.<br />

Related Glossary Terms<br />

Addisonian crisis, Etomidate, Pre-medication<br />

Index<br />

Find Term<br />

Chapter 2 - Pre-operative Evaluation<br />

Chapter 6 - Induction Agents

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!