A study from the July 2011 issue of Anesthesiology analyzed whether patients who experience post-operative nausea and vomiting have a genetic predisposition to the side effect, according to a Newswise report.
Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine pooled DNA samples from 122 patients with severe PONV to determine whether PONV is inherited. The findings identified 41 genetic targets, called single nucleotide polymorphisms, in these patients that might have caused a predisposition to PONV.
Further analyses single out at least one SNP that was common to the severe PONV group. The researchers hope that identification of the SNP will help better predict which patients are more susceptible to PONV.
While past studies have confirmed that female gender, use of volatile anesthetics, previous history of PONV or motion sickness and the use of intra- or postoperative opioid drugs are contributing factors to PONV, this study was one of the first to evaluate genetic factors that may contribute to PONV susceptibility.
Read the Newswise report on PONV.
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Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine pooled DNA samples from 122 patients with severe PONV to determine whether PONV is inherited. The findings identified 41 genetic targets, called single nucleotide polymorphisms, in these patients that might have caused a predisposition to PONV.
Further analyses single out at least one SNP that was common to the severe PONV group. The researchers hope that identification of the SNP will help better predict which patients are more susceptible to PONV.
While past studies have confirmed that female gender, use of volatile anesthetics, previous history of PONV or motion sickness and the use of intra- or postoperative opioid drugs are contributing factors to PONV, this study was one of the first to evaluate genetic factors that may contribute to PONV susceptibility.
Read the Newswise report on PONV.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Video Education Improves Intubation Skills in Medical Students
Study Identifies Obstacles to Development of 'Anesthesia Historians'
Editorial Discusses Use of Propofol Anesthesia to Increase Recall of Traumatic Events