Equine veterinary journal1993; 25(2); 147-151; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02926.x

Factors influencing the outcome of equine anaesthesia: a review of 1,314 cases.

Abstract: Patient data, physiological variables and recovery quality were extracted from 1,314 records of equine anaesthetics covering a 7-year period and analysed retrospectively. Better recovery quality was significantly associated with shorter duration of anaesthesia, longer recovery times, less invasive surgery, a lower pulse rate at induction and higher pulse and respiratory rates during anaesthesia. Nineteen animals suffered serious anaesthetic-related problems (1.4% incidence) and 9 died (0.68% incidence). Clinical treatment of hypotension during anaesthesia significantly reduced the hypotensive index but did not significantly alter the recovery quality or incidence of post-anaesthetic myopathy. The severity of the myopathy was, however, markedly reduced in the animals treated for hypotension.
Publication Date: 1993-03-01 PubMed ID: 8467775DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02926.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research reviews 1,314 cases of equine anaesthetic outcomes over a seven-year span, focusing on patient data, physiological conditions, and recovery quality. Major factors affecting recovery included duration of anaesthesia, surgical invasiveness, and pulse rate. The study also looks at the impact of treatment for hypotension on recovery and post-anaesthetic myopathy.

Scope and Methodology of the Research

  • The study examined 1,314 cases of equine anaesthesia over a seven-year period.
  • The data mined included patient details, physiological measurements, recovery times, surgical invasiveness, and post-anesthesia complications.
  • All these factors were retrospectively analyzed to identify a correlation with recovery quality after anaesthesia.
  • The study also looked specifically at instances of serious anaesthetic-related problems, including death, and conditions like hypotension during anaesthesia and post-anaesthetic myopathy.

Key Findings

  • The research found that the quality of recovery after anaesthesia was significantly associated with factors such as the duration of the anaesthesia (shorter durations led to better recovery), the recovery times (longer times indicated better recovery), less invasive surgeries, lower pulse rate at induction and higher pulse and respiratory rates during anaesthesia.
  • Out of the entire sample, 19 animals encountered serious anaesthetic-related complications (1.4% of cases), and 9 died (0.68% of cases).
  • The treatment of hypotension during anaesthesia effectively reduced the hypotensive index, which means it prevented blood pressure from dropping too low. This, however, did not significantly impact the recovery quality or the incidence of post-anaesthetic myopathy, a muscle condition common after anaesthesia.
  • Interestingly, although the treatment for hypotension didn’t affect the incidence of myopathy, it greatly lessened the severity of the condition in treated animals.

Implications of the Research

  • The findings suggest that certain procedures during equine anaesthesia, such as minimizing the duration, lengthening recovery time and controlling pulse and respiratory rates, can positively influence the recovery quality.
  • A noteworthy point is the effectiveness of treating hypotension during anaesthesia, as it significantly reduces the severity of post-anaesthetic myopathy, although it does not alter its occurrence or overall recovery.
  • The revelation carries significant implications for anaesthesia practices in equine care, as it presents precise areas for intervention to improve equine anaesthesia outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
Young SS, Taylor PM. (1993). Factors influencing the outcome of equine anaesthesia: a review of 1,314 cases. Equine Vet J, 25(2), 147-151. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02926.x

Publication

ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 2
Pages: 147-151

Researcher Affiliations

Young, S S
  • Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
Taylor, P M

    MeSH Terms

    • Anesthesia / adverse effects
    • Anesthesia / veterinary
    • Animals
    • Female
    • Horses / physiology
    • Male
    • Muscular Diseases / etiology
    • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
    • Pulse
    • Respiration
    • Retrospective Studies
    • Time Factors
    • Treatment Outcome

    Citations

    This article has been cited 27 times.
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