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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Will Anesthesia React For One Who Is Chain Smoker?

Hello Dr. I am very close to a heavy smoker and this person may need to get knee replacement surgery in the near future and smokes alot. I am very concerned how anesthesia would affect this person and how well she would do should she undergo surgery. It's not myself but someone close to me. I have not discussed it with her but have tried to get her to quit smoking many times. I am concerned for her. What do you think ? She is 67 years old and female, and a very heavy smoker.
Mon, 25 Aug 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
It's higher risk. But it depends on how much wind they still have (measured by spirometry... seeing how much volume of breath they have left). ANd also how much lung inflammation, wheeze, COPD they have. This is also measured by spirometry.
The amount of lung left at age 67 cannot be estimated without the testing. You can get a pretty good feel if someone is either really good or really bad but outside of the extremes, you can't tell how bad someone is without the tests.
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How Will Anesthesia React For One Who Is Chain Smoker?

It s higher risk. But it depends on how much wind they still have (measured by spirometry... seeing how much volume of breath they have left). ANd also how much lung inflammation, wheeze, COPD they have. This is also measured by spirometry. The amount of lung left at age 67 cannot be estimated without the testing. You can get a pretty good feel if someone is either really good or really bad but outside of the extremes, you can t tell how bad someone is without the tests.