Effect of halothane anesthesia on liver function in the horse.

This research examines the effects of halothane anesthesia on the liver function of horses, concluding that no significant impairment is observed 24 hours after anesthesia, even for anesthesia periods ranging from 35 minutes to 3.5 hours.

Background and Aims

• The study’s main aim was to understand the hepatotoxic (toxic to the liver) effect of halothane, a type of anesthetic, on horses. The researchers used thirty horses that were anesthetized with halothane and thiopental sodium.
• This research was conducted due to concerns about potential liver damage caused by the use of anesthesia during surgery. Halothane’s molecular structure is similar to chloroform, which is known to cause liver damage.

Methodology

• The researchers evaluated liver function using Bromsulphalein (BSP) tests, known to be a standard method for this assessment. These tests were conducted immediately before and 24 hours after the horses underwent anesthesia and surgery.
• The duration of anesthesia on horses in this study varied, ranging from quick sessions of 35 minutes up to lengthy session of 3.5 hours.

Findings

• The results from the BSP tests pointed to no significant impairment in the liver function of the horses.
• The tests were especially critical 24 hours after anesthesia. This is the time peak damage usually occurs when using anesthetics such as chloroform, known for its harm to the liver.
• Thereby, the study concluded that halothane, despite its molecular similarity to chloroform, does not appear to have a similar damaging effect on liver function, at least within the analyzed 24-hour window.