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Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia2007; 34(1); 23-30; doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2005.00283.x

Equine perioperative fatalities associated with general anaesthesia at a private practice–a retrospective case series.

Abstract: To determine the fatality rate of horses undergoing general anaesthesia at a private equine referral practice using a limited number of anaesthetic protocols. Methods: A retrospective analysis of records (n = 17 961) from all horses undergoing general anaesthesia for surgical procedures from 1997 to 2001 at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Results were reported as percentage of the population, and as crude mortality rates for each procedure (deaths per 1000). Results: The prevalence of equine fatalities directly related to anaesthesia was 0.12% (n = 21) and this rose to 0.24% (n = 42) with the inclusion of horses killed or dying within 7 days post general anaesthesia. Causes of death directly related to anaesthesia were cardiac arrest (n = 10), fracture in recovery stall (n = 8), neuropathy and myopathy necessitating euthanasia (n = 3). Crude mortality rates per procedure were < or =7 deaths per 1000 cases, except arthrodesis/osteotomy cases were 66.7 deaths per 1000 cases. Conclusions: The anaesthetic fatality rate at this practice is lower than has been reported previously. Conclusions: Familiarity with an anaesthetic protocol in combination with reduced anaesthetic time, emergencies of shorter duration between diagnosis and surgery, and adequate preoperative examination appear to minimize the risks associated with general anaesthesia in horses.
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Publication Date: 2007-01-24 PubMed ID: 17238959DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2005.00283.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the fatality rate of horses subjected to general anesthesia at a private equine medical clinic, analyzing data collected from 1997 to 2001, and concludes that familiarity with anesthetic protocol and thorough preoperative examination can reduce anesthesia-associated risks in horses.

Research Background and Methods

  • The researchers’ objective was to determine the fatality rate of horses undergoing general anesthesia at a private equine referral practice using a restricted set of anesthesia protocols.
  • They conducted a retrospective analysis of records from 1997 to 2001, covering a total of 17,961 cases at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
  • The results were reported as a proportion of the entire sample population and as raw mortality rates for each procedure. Mortality rates were expressed in terms of deaths per 1000 cases.

Research Findings

  • They found that the fatality rate of equines directly due to anesthesia was 0.12% (21 cases out of 17,961), which increased to 0.24% (42 cases) when including horses dying or euthanized within the seven-day post-anesthesia period.
  • The primary causes of these anesthetic-related deaths were cardiac arrest (10 cases), fractures sustained in recovery stalls (8 cases), and neuropathy and myopathy necessitating euthanasia (3 cases).
  • Aside from instances of arthrodesis/osteotomy surgeries (where the mortality rate was 66.7 deaths per 1000 cases), the general mortality rate per procedure was less than or equal to 7 deaths per 1000 cases.

Research Conclusions

  • The study concludes that the fatality rate at this practice was lower than rates previously reported in other studies.
  • The researchers posit that adherence to a known anesthetic protocol, coupled with a reduced duration of anesthesia, quick scheduling of emergency surgeries post-diagnosis, and sufficient preoperative examination, can likely lessen the risks associated with administering general anesthesia to horses.

This research provides valuable insights into equine anesthesia-associated mortality rates, and highlights the importance of adhering to established protocol and conducting thorough preoperative examinations to minimize risks.

Cite This Article

APA
Bidwell LA, Bramlage LR, Rood WA. (2007). Equine perioperative fatalities associated with general anaesthesia at a private practice–a retrospective case series. Vet Anaesth Analg, 34(1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2995.2005.00283.x

Publication

Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia
ISSN: 1467-2987
NlmUniqueID: 100956422
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 1
Pages: 23-30

Researcher Affiliations

Bidwell, Lori A
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40511, USA. lbidwell@roodandriddle.com
Bramlage, Larry R
    Rood, William A

      MeSH Terms

      • Anesthesia, General / adverse effects
      • Anesthesia, General / mortality
      • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
      • Animals
      • Elective Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
      • Elective Surgical Procedures / veterinary
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
      • Horse Diseases / mortality
      • Horse Diseases / surgery
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Prognosis
      • Retrospective Studies

      Citations

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