Study to Determine Incidence of Hypoventilation in Patients Who Have Undergone Gastric Bypass

We propose to determine if patients with clinically significant obesity (body mass index, BMI, between 40 kg/m2 and 85 kg/m2), who have undergone gastric bypass procedures under general anesthesia hypoventilate during the initial twenty-four hour postoperative period, and if so, to what degree. Adequacy of ventilation will be assessed by serial arterial blood analyses. Patients will be monitored for SpO2 in the preoperative holding area, in the operating room, and the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) by conventional and study pulse oximeters. SpO2 data will be collected continuously and recorded on the study pulse oximeter for the entire study period. Arterial blood samples will be drawn for analysis every four hours by in-dwelling arterial catheter, using standard sterile technique. Hypoventilation is defined as an increase in PaCO2 five or more mm Hg above patient's baseline.

Inclusion criteria

• Male and female subjects 18 to 65 years of age
• Clinically significant obesity with a BMI between 40 and 85
• Candidates approved for gastric bypass surgery at Tampa General Hospital (*Please note: authorization for gastric bypass will be completed prior to enrollment in study; this study does not pay for the cost of the operation.)
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification I-III
• Able to understand and sign informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Patients not able to understand the informed consent process, or unable to understand the research protocol
• Patients in which placing an arterial catheter would pose a clinically unacceptable health risk, e.g., bleeding disorders, radial artery malformation