what is the difference between general anaesthesia (GA) and monitored anaesthetic care (MAC)?
In: 32
General anesthesia: patient doesn’t respond to stimulus. Cardiovascular and respiratory support is usually required
MAC: patient can respond to stimulus. Cardiovascular and respiratory support is not expected to be required.
Source: am anesthesiologist
I am not an anesthesiologist but in laymans terms i think its mostly down to whether paralytics are used and an artficial airway is placed.
Sedatives by themselves without a larangial mask or an endotracheal tube are MAC.
General anesthesia means you are completely unconscious, to the degree that you need a machine to help you breathe.
MAC is essentially blackout drunk. It’s often nicknamed “twilight anesthesia” because you’re in a stage between wakefulness and sleeping, and some people fall asleep during it while others remain awake the whole time. Most people get memory loss, but some people do remember being awake during the procedure.
General anaesthetic is when you get put to sleep for surgery. It’s a lot more complicated than that, but the gist is there.
Monitored Anaesthesia Care is where you have local or regional anaesthesia, with an anaesthetist supporting you to ensure you are comfortable, using sedatives and analgesics.