Resumen

OJEDA GONZALEZ, José et al. Physiological Changes during Pregnancy. Its Relevance for the Anesthesiologist. Medisur [online]. 2011, vol.9, n.5, pp. 484-491. ISSN 1727-897X.

Pregnancy, labor and delivery are closely related to important anatomical and physiological changes that the anesthesiologist must be aware of in order to conduct an appropriate management of these patients during perioperative period. While dealing with general anesthesia, several physiological changes that pregnant women go through should be considered, mainly those related to the anatomy of the airway that can condition a difficult airway access. In the case of regional anesthesia, besides being a blind procedure, it must overcome physical barriers that appear because of the increased abdominal size. Choosing the appropriate anesthesia procedure is a decision that depends on the obstetric needs and the anesthesiologist’s criteria. The objective of this review is to provide anaesthesiologists with some important considerations on the previously mentioned aspects.

Palabras clave : anesthesia, general; pregnancy; parturition; labor, obstetric; perioperative period.