Anesthesiology – MCCQE1 High-Yield Notes

Key Anesthesiology concepts tested in the MCCQE1 exam, organized for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) preparing for Canadian medical licensure.

🔑 Key Topics in Anesthesiology for MCCQE1

Pre-operative assessment and risk stratification (ASA classification)
Airway management: RSI, difficult airway algorithm, Mallampati score
General vs. regional anesthesia: indications and contraindications
Common anesthetic agents: propofol, ketamine, succinylcholine, rocuronium
Malignant hyperthermia: trigger agents, clinical features, treatment with Dantrolene
Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV): risk factors and management
Local anesthetic toxicity: LAST syndrome, treatment with Intralipid 20%
Spinal vs. epidural anesthesia: differences, indications, complications
Pain management: WHO analgesic ladder, opioid dosing, patient-controlled analgesia
Monitoring standards: ECG, SpO2, ETCO2, temperature, blood pressure

Malignant Hyperthermia: Triggered by succinylcholine and volatile agents → treat with IV Dantrolene immediately
Can't intubate, can't oxygenate (CICO): Emergency surgical airway (cricothyrotomy)
Succinylcholine contraindications: Hyperkalemia, burns >48h, crush injury, denervation
Spinal headache (PDPH): Positional, treat with blood patch if persistent
Ketamine: Dissociative anesthetic, maintains airway reflexes, good for hemodynamically unstable patients

Agent	Class	Key Point
Propofol	IV induction	Causes hypotension, no analgesia
Ketamine	Dissociative	Maintains BP, bronchodilator
Succinylcholine	Depolarizing NMB	Fastest onset, CI in hyperkalemia
Rocuronium	Non-depolarizing NMB	Reversed by Sugammadex
Fentanyl	Opioid	High potency, short duration

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