ASSESSMENT OF INTRAOPERATIVE ANESTHETIC COMPLICATONS AMONG COPD AND NORMAL PATIENT UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA ASSESSMENT OF INTRAOPERATIVE ANESTHETIC COMPLICATONS AMONG COPD AND NORMAL PATIENT UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents a significant challenge in anesthetic management, particularly during general anesthesia, due to altered pulmonary mechanics and impaired gas exchange. Patients with COPD are at increased risk for respiratory complications, which may worsen intraoperative stability and postoperative outcomes. Despite this clinical concern, limited research has explored direct comparisons of intraoperative anesthetic complications between COPD and non-COPD patients undergoing general anesthesia. Objective: To assess and compare intraoperative anesthetic complications in COPD and non-COPD patients undergoing general anesthesia. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted over four months at Chaudhry Muhammad Akram Teaching & Research Hospital, Gulab Devi Hospital, and Jinnah Hospital. A total of 140 adult patients were enrolled, with 70 diagnosed COPD patients and 70 age-matched controls without respiratory illness. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and intraoperative monitoring tools, focusing on respiratory and hemodynamic complications, recovery times, and acid-base disturbances. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with t-tests and chi-square tests applied for group comparisons. Results: Respiratory complications were significantly more frequent in the COPD group. Respiratory acidosis was noted in 54.28% of COPD patients, compared to 7.14% in the normal group. Bronchospasm (7.14%), airway obstruction due to mucus plugging (10%), and hypoventilation (11.42%) were prevalent among COPD patients. In contrast, normal patients exhibited higher rates of hemodynamic instability, including hypotension (31%) and hypertension (23%). Delayed recovery from anesthesia was observed in 18 COPD patients and 17 normal patients. Conclusion: Patients with COPD undergoing general anesthesia are at a significantly higher risk for intraoperative respiratory complications. Optimized perioperative strategies, including lung-protective ventilation and individualized anesthetic plans, are essential to improving surgical outcomes in this high-risk population.