Chemical agents used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia vasodilate vascular beds producing transient hypotension that is well-tolerated in euvolemic patients undergoing elective operations. By contrast, experienced anesthesiologists working in trauma centers know that they must employ alternative agents when emergent operations are needed on hypovolemic bleeding patients. These agents include, but are not limited to, etomidate and ketamine. Once bleeding is controlled and blood volume restored, traditional inhalational agents are employed.
General anesthesia causing transient hypotension medical expert witness specialties include anesthesiology, cardiac anesthesioogy, obstetric anesthesiology, trauma, neurology, and neuropsychology.