Anesthesia for the faint of heart: approach to cardiac patients

Summary: As the average life expectancy of pets increases, senior animals with multiple comorbidities are increasingly common anesthetic candidates. Heart disease is frequently encountered, but appropriate management can vary widely from patient to patient. How do we evaluate the risks and benefits of anesthetizing a patient with heart disease? How does management of “volume overload” pathology differ from “pressure overload” pathology? Is there any such thing as a “heart safe” anesthesia protocol? This talk will cover the pathophysiology of the most common types of heart disease encountered in general practice, how to reduce the anesthetic risks associated with heart disease, and how to instill confidence in your team and your clients when dealing with these patients.

Approved for one hour of California Statutory CEU

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Bio: Dr. Alexander Thomson earned his undergraduate and veterinary degrees at Cornell University, before completing a rotating internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Denver, Colorado. After internship, he moved to Gainesville, Florida for a residency in anesthesiology and pain management at the University of Florida. During his residency, he worked part time as a relief veterinarian in private emergency practices in central Florida. He took the boards exam in July and is currently in the process of moving to Hong Kong, where he will be joining the anesthesia department at the City University of Hong Kong Veterinary Medical Centre. Dr. Thomson has particular expertise in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and has published novel techniques in several leading veterinary journals. His interests include cardiothoracic anesthesia, clinical pharmacology, and interventional pain management.