Ana Fernandez-Bustamante, MD, PhD, FASA
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical Research Data Informatics Director University of Colorado School of Medicine
After surgery, frequent cannabis users present a greater risk for postoperative myocardial infarction, surgical pain, and paradoxical hyperemesis. Frequent cannabis consumption poses challenges to anesthesia requirements that are still not well understood: Frequent cannabis use increases anesthesia requirements, but findings are controversial, our understanding is insufficient to provide recommendations to anesthesia providers.
While propofol is a common general anesthetic used is surgical procedures, the evaluation of endocannabinoid metabolism and drug-drug interactions of cannabis components with propofol has not been previously investigated.
The goal of this project is to understand the influence that cannabis consumption has on propofol-based anesthesia requirements during colonoscopy. We will analyze cannabis metabolites in the blood of participating adults and compare with their reported cannabis use and their anesthesia requirements. Outcomes of this research will improve our understanding of this important drug interaction and advance our ability to make recommendations for patient care during surgeries requiring propofol sedation.