Patients often bleed during surgery and it is vital that the anesthesia provider administer blood and fluid to keep up with the losses. Often this means that the anesthesiologist must recognize that a particular procedure is associated with much blood and fluid loss and prepare for that eventually by inserting extra intravenous lines and making sure the blood bank has blood for transfusion. The circulation may be stopped by many of the anesthetic drugs that are used. These agents are all toxic in concentrations, slightly higher than those that produce loss of consciousness. Overdose of anesthetic gases or intravenous drugs will stop the heart.
All patients respond slightly differently to the anesthetics.
Anesthesia providers must know and recognize when this problem may arise. Allergies to drugs are life threatening. Fortunately, the anesthetic gases do not produce allergic reactions. Latex may also cause life-threatening allergic reactions. The steps for treatment of allergic response are well known, but treatment must be begun promptly and in adequate doses.