Medical Science
Volume 24, Issue 105, September - October, 2020
Effects of passive smoking on perioperative respiratory and cardiovascular complications
Shammah Ahmed Ali1, Newigy MK2
1Department of Clinical Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, EMS, Umm Al-Qura University, KSA; Email:
aamghamdi@uqu.edu.sa, ahghamdi2@yahoo.com or ahghamdi2@gmail.com
2Department of Clinical Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Anesthesia and ICU, Umm Al-Qura University, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia; Email: mohnewigy@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: In this study, we aimed to research whether there is significant difference in the incidence of cardiovascular and
respiratory complications during intraoperative and postoperative periods and the duration of recovery in patients who exposed
passively to tobacco smoke compared with unexposed patients. Methods: 250 adult patients ranging in age from 18 to 60 years with
the ASA I or II score who received general anesthesia for various elective surgical operations were selected and divided into two
groups. Group 1(study group) included 130 patients who were exposed to passive cigarette smoke, Group 2 (control group) include
120 patients who were not exposed to smoke. Respiratory and cardiovascular complications evaluated and recorded in
intraoperative and postoperative period. At the end of the operation, patients taken to the postoperative care unit (PACU) and
monitored until Modified Aldrete’s Score became 9 or more and stay time in PACU was recorded. Results: There was no statistically
significant difference concerning demographic data and ASA status between the two groups. Among respiratory complication in the
two groups there was no significant difference regarding to bronchospasm, hypoxia, laryngeal spasm. In contrary there was
significant increase in the incidence of cough and hyper secretion in passive smokers. Regarding cardiovascular complications there
was no significant difference between the two groups in arrhythmias or ischemia occurrence. In contrary there was significant
increase in the incidence of hypertension occurrence in passive smoking group. PACU stay time in the passive smoking group was
not significantly longer than control group. Conclusion: Passive smoking is associated with higher incidence of perioperative
cardiovascular and respiratory complication with no prolongation of PACU stay time.
Keywords: Passive smoking, general anesthesia, hypertension, cough, post anesthesia care unit.
Medical Science, 2020, 24(105), 3177-3181
