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Infusion of a combination of propofol and medetomidine for long-term anesthesia in ponies.
Abstract: To determine the minimal infusion rate of propofol in combination with medetomidine for long-term anesthesia in ponies and the effects of atipamezole on recovery. Methods: 12 ponies. Methods: Ponies were sedated with medetomidine (7 microg/kg of body weight, IV). Ten minutes later, anesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg/kg, IV). Anesthesia was maintained for 4 hours, using an infusion of medetomidine (3.5 microg/kg per hour, IV) and propofol at a rate sufficient to prevent ponies from moving after electrical stimulation. Arterial blood pressures and blood gas analysis, heart rates, and respiratory rates were monitored. For recovery, 6 ponies were given atipamezole (60 microg/kg, IV). Induction and recovery were scored. Results: Minimal propofol infusion rates ranged from 0.06 to 0.1 mg/kg per min. Mean arterial blood pressure was stable (range, 74 to 86 mm Hg), and heart rate (34 to 51 beats/min) had minimal variations. Variable breathing patterns were observed. Mean PaO2 (range, 116 to 146 mm Hg) and mean PaCO2 (range, 48 to 51 mm Hg) did not change significantly with time, but hypoxemia was evident in some ponies (minimal PaO2, 47 mm Hg). Recovery was fast and uneventful with and without atipamezole (completed in 20.2 and 20.9 minutes, respectively). Conclusions: Infusion of a combination of medetomidine and propofol was suitable for prolonged anesthesia in ponies. Recovery was rapid and uneventful. A combination of propofol and medetomidine may prove suitable for long-term anesthesia in horses. Monitoring of blood gases is essential because of potential hypoxemia.
Publication Date: 2001-05-01 PubMed ID: 11327455DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.500Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The study aimed to find out the most suitable amount of propofol to be combined with medetomidine for a lengthy anesthesia in ponies, and the role of atipamezole in recovery. Researchers found that the medetomidine-propofol mixture worked well for long anesthesia in ponies and recovery was safe and quick. There also may be the risk of low oxygen levels during anesthesia, hence, the monitoring of blood gases is crucial.
Study Objective and Methods
- The study sought to find out the smallest rate of infusion for swift and safe recovery of propofol combined with medetomidine which are used for extended anesthesia in ponies.
- 12 ponies were used for the study where they were sedated with medetomidine and ten minutes later, anesthesia was induced with propofol. For the next 4 hours, anesthesia was maintained by infusing medetomidine and propofol enough to stop the ponies from moving after electrical stimulation.
- The ponies’ arterial blood pressures and the blood gas analysis, heart and respiratory rates were observed and recorded.
Results and Interpretation
- The results revealed that the smaller infusion rate of propofol was between 0.06 to 0.1 mg/kg per min.
- Most ponies had stable arterial blood pressure in the range of 74 to 86 mm Hg and minor variations in heart rate from 34 to 51 beats per minute.
- Different breathing patterns were noticed among the ponies. The PaO2 and PaCO2 levels in the blood did not vary much, signed by a range of PaO2 from 116 to 146 mm Hg
- However, they detected that some ponies had low oxygen levels (minimal PaO2, 47 mm Hg).
- Recovery was observed to be swift and smooth with and without using atipamezole (the time taken for recovery was found to be around 20.2 and 20.9 minutes respectively).
Conclusion
- The study concluded that infusing propofol with medetomidine was suitable for the required long-term anesthesia in ponies as recovery was fast and smooth.
- However, it was noted that there could be potential for low oxygen levels in the ponies during this process, indicating the necessity for blood gas monitoring.
Cite This Article
APA
Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Freeman SL, Jäggin-Schmucker N, Clarke KW.
(2001).
Infusion of a combination of propofol and medetomidine for long-term anesthesia in ponies.
Am J Vet Res, 62(4), 500-507.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.500 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anaesthesia, Veterinary Surgery Clinic, University of Zürich, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / administration & dosage
- Anesthesia, General / veterinary
- Anesthetics, Intravenous / administration & dosage
- Animals
- Blood Pressure / drug effects
- Body Temperature / drug effects
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Heart Rate / drug effects
- Horses / physiology
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage
- Imidazoles / administration & dosage
- Infusions, Intravenous / veterinary
- Medetomidine / administration & dosage
- Pain Measurement / drug effects
- Pain Measurement / veterinary
- Propofol / administration & dosage
- Random Allocation
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Gozalo-Marcilla M, Ringer SK. Recovery after General Anaesthesia in Adult Horses: A Structured Summary of the Literature. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 14;11(6).
- Tokushige H, Araki M, Kusano K, Arima D, Ito H, Yamazaki Y, Urayama S, Kambayashi Y, Tateno O, Ohta M. A retrospective comparison of induction with thiopental/guaifenesin and propofol/ketamine in Thoroughbred racehorses anesthetized with sevoflurane and medetomidine during arthroscopic surgery. J Equine Sci 2019 Jul;30(2):25-31.
- Tokushige H, Okano A, Arima D, Ito H, Kambayashi Y, Minamijima Y, Ohta M. Clinical effects of constant rate infusions of medetomidine-propofol combined with sevoflurane anesthesia in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Acta Vet Scand 2018 Nov 5;60(1):71.
- Aoki M, Wakuno A, Kushiro A, Mae N, Kakizaki M, Nagata SI, Ohta M. Evaluation of total intravenous anesthesia with propofol-guaifenesin-medetomidine and alfaxalone-guaifenesin-medetomidine in Thoroughbred horses undergoing castration. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Dec 22;79(12):2011-2018.
- Umar MA, Fukui S, Kawase K, Itami T, Yamashita K. Cardiovascular effects of total intravenous anesthesia using ketamine-medetomidine-propofol (KMP-TIVA) in horses undergoing surgery. J Vet Med Sci 2015 Mar;77(3):281-8.
- Beths T, Touzot-Jourde G, Musk G, Pasloske K. Clinical evaluation of alfaxalone to induce and maintain anaesthesia in cats undergoing neutering procedures. J Feline Med Surg 2014 Aug;16(8):609-15.
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