Preoperative Laboratory Test – General Anesthesia

What should you know about the Preoperative Laboratory Tests – General Anesthesia package?

Within this package, both blood and urine laboratory tests are performed.

List of blood parameters tested in the Preoperative Laboratory Tests – General Anesthesia package

1. Blood group + Rh factor are important for blood transfusion, in case it becomes necessary during the operation.
2. Complete blood count with differential helps assess overall health status and determine the risk of infections, inflammation, immune system disorders, and blood clotting abnormalities.
3. PT-INR (prothrombin test) and aPTT-R (activated partial thromboplastin time) help detect coagulation disorders and monitor treatment with medications affecting blood clotting.
4. Blood glucose (glycemia) helps identify disorders of glucose metabolism, such as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), diabetes, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
5. Liver parameters (AST, ALT, GGT, and bilirubin) are substances sensitive to changes in liver function, liver tissue damage, and bile duct disorders. They help detect any impairment of liver function that may influence surgery and the occurrence of complications, including the metabolism of anesthetics and medications.
6. Sodium and potassium levels, minerals involved in maintaining fluid and acid-base balance, are indicators of proper cell function.
7. Creatinine and urea: Blood creatinine levels can be used to calculate the glomerular filtration rate of the kidneys, which serves as a measure of kidney function. Determining urea levels is useful as an indicator of kidney function and the degree of body hydration. Proper kidney function is important, among other things, for the excretion of certain drugs and anesthetics.
8. Testing for infectious diseases transmitted by blood or other body fluids:

a) HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen),

b) anti-HCV IgG (specific antibodies against Hepatitis C virus),

c) anti-HIV – antibodies against HIV,

d) anti-T. pallidum – antibodies against the causative agent of syphilis.

List of urine tests in the Preoperative Laboratory Tests – General Anesthesia package

1. Urine chemical analysis determines pH and specific gravity (density) of urine, and detects the presence of proteins, sugar, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrites, hemoglobin, and leukocytes. This is important for assessing kidney and urinary tract function and the metabolism of various substances.
2. Examination of urinary sediment detects the presence of cells (e.g., white and red blood cells), crystals, and other substances in urine. It is important for identifying acute and chronic inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract, as well as diagnosing other kidney diseases.

The advantage of undergoing this examination with us is that you do not need a referral from your doctor – you can order the examination yourself. You will receive your results quickly, usually by the following day, which significantly speeds up the entire preoperative preparation process.

Note! Laboratory testing does not replace a comprehensive internal preoperative examination, which includes additional tests performed by an internist or general practitioner.

About the internal preoperative examination before procedures under general anesthesia

The goal of the internal preoperative examination is to determine the current health status, assess the risk of the planned surgery and its impact on organ systems, propose measures to reduce this risk, and highlight possible complications. (2, 3)

Based on the results of the preoperative examination, a decision may be made to postpone the procedure and recommend further testing.

It provides information for the anesthesiologist to prepare a plan for anesthesiological care and postoperative analgesia.

The examination includes medical history, clinical examination, laboratory tests, and is performed by an internist or general practitioner. (2, 3)

According to the Professional Guideline of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic, the minimum basic laboratory tests required before planned procedures involving anesthesiological care include: complete blood count, sodium and potassium levels, creatinine, blood glucose, liver enzymes (ALT and GGT), testing for Hepatitis B (HBsAg), and coagulation tests (INR).

An ECG is also recommended, as well as a chest X-ray for patients over 60 years of age. The attending physician may decide to extend these tests depending on the patient’s health condition and the nature of the planned procedure. (2)

The results and conclusions of the internal preoperative examination form the basis for the preoperative anesthesiological examination, which the patient undergoes with the anesthesiologist. (2, 3)

Note! The internal preoperative examination has limited validity. Specific requirements for the validity of laboratory results should be verified with your doctor in advance.

The Preoperative Laboratory Tests – General Anesthesia package constitutes healthcare provided and performed for clients for medical purposes, i.e., for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, or with a therapeutic intent considered necessary for the purposes of preventing, treating, and curing diseases, as part of such care.