Body position and mode of ventilation influences arterial pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide tensions in halothane-anesthetized horses.
Abstract: Effects of body position and type of ventilation were determined on arterial blood gases (PaO2, PaCO2) and pH during and immediately following clinical halothane anesthesia in 36 young, physically conditioned horses. Horses in dorsal recumbency had a lower PaO2 than did similarly breathing horses in a lateral position. Predictably controlled positive-pressure ventilation inproved arterial oxygenation and permitted maintenance of a normal PaCO2. Most horses, regardless of type of ventilation and operative body positioning, were hypoxemic in the immediate postanesthetic period.
Publication Date: 1977-03-01 PubMed ID: 15488
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates how a horse’s body position and ventilation type affect its arterial blood gases and pH levels during and after halothane anesthesia. It concludes that controlled positive-pressure ventilation improves oxygenation and maintains normal CO2 levels. This study also found that most horses, regardless of ventilation method and body position, experienced low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia) immediately after anesthesia.
Objective and Design of the Research
- The study aimed to understand the effects of body position and ventilation type on the arterial gases (PaO2 and PaCO2) and pH levels in horses under halothane anesthesia.
- To achieve this, 36 young, physically fit horses underwent clinical halothane anesthesia under varying conditions of body position and ventilation.
Findings of the Study
- The research found that horses positioned on their backs (dorsal recumbency) had lower PaO2 (Oxygen Partial Pressure) levels than that of horses in a lateral position (on their side).
- The study also demonstrated that controlled positive-pressure ventilation can enhance arterial oxygenation and allow for the maintenance of usual PaCO2 (carbon dioxide partial pressure).
- Regardless of the type of ventilation or body position utilized, most horses experienced hypoxemia – a condition characterized by an abnormally low amount of oxygen in the blood – immediately after the anesthetic period.
Significance of the Research
- The outcomes of this research play a crucial role in anesthetic management in equine medicine. By identifying the impact of body position and ventilation techniques, this study provides precise data for veterinarians to formulate suitable anesthetic protocols for horses.
- This research also highlights the issue of post-anesthetic hypoxemia in horses, suggesting the need for additional studies to further understand its causes and potential mitigation strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Steffey EP, Wheat JD, Meagher DM, Norrie RD, McKee J, Brown M, Arnold J.
(1977).
Body position and mode of ventilation influences arterial pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide tensions in halothane-anesthetized horses.
Am J Vet Res, 38(3), 379-382.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Anesthesia, Inhalation / veterinary
- Animals
- Blood
- Carbon Dioxide / blood
- Female
- Halothane
- Horses / blood
- Horses / surgery
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Male
- Oxygen / blood
- Posture
- Respiration
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Sacks M, Raidal S, Catanchin CSM, Hosgood G, Mosing M. Impact of sedation, body position change and continuous positive airway pressure on distribution of ventilation in healthy foals. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1075791.
- Tucker L, Almeida D, Wendt-Hornickle E, Baldo CF, Allweiler S, Guedes AGP. Effect of 15° Reverse Trendelenburg Position on Arterial Oxygen Tension during Isoflurane Anesthesia in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 1;12(3).
- Dupont J, Serteyn D, Sandersen C. Prolonged Recovery From General Anesthesia Possibly Related to Persistent Hypoxemia in a Draft Horse. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:235.
- Niyom S, Mama KR, King M, Contino E, Ferris D, Valdes-Martinez A, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith W, Zumbrunnen J. Influence of changing lateral recumbency and mode of ventilation on the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient and selected laboratory analytes in adult isoflurane anesthetized horses. J Vet Med Sci 2018 Nov 1;80(10):1584-1589.
- Karrasch NM, Hubbell JA, Aarnes TK, Bednarski RM, Lerche P. Comparison of cardiorespiratory variables in dorsally recumbent horses anesthetized with guaifenesin-ketamine-xylazine spontaneously breathing 50% or maximal oxygen concentrations. Can Vet J 2015 Apr;56(4):387-92.
- Ishizuka T, Tamura J, Nagaro T, Sudo K, Itami T, Umar MA, Miyoshi K, Sano T, Yamashita K. Effects of intermittent positive pressure ventilation on cardiopulmonary function in horses anesthetized with total intravenous anesthesia using combination of medetomidine, lidocaine, butorphanol and propofol (MLBP-TIVA). J Vet Med Sci 2014 Dec;76(12):1577-82.
- Hubbell JA, Aarnes TK, Bednarski RM, Lerche P, Muir WW. Effect of 50% and maximal inspired oxygen concentrations on respiratory variables in isoflurane-anesthetized horses. BMC Vet Res 2011 Jun 3;7:23.
- Khanna AK, McDonell WN, Dyson DH, Taylor PM. Cardiopulmonary effects of hypercapnia during controlled intermittent positive pressure ventilation in the horse. Can J Vet Res 1995 Jul;59(3):213-21.
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