Minimal alveolar concentration of desflurane in combination with an infusion of medetomidine for the anaesthesia of ponies.
Abstract: The minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane when combined with a continuous infusion of medetomidine at 3.5 microg/kg/hour was measured in seven ponies. Anaesthesia was induced with medetomidine (7 microg/kg intravenously) followed by ketamine (2 mg/kg intravenously) and maintained with desflurane in oxygen. The infusion of medetomidine was started 20 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia. The electrical test stimulus was applied at the coronary band (50 V, 10 ms bursts at 5 Hz for one minute), and heart rates and rhythms, arterial blood pressures, and arterial blood gas tensions were measured at intervals, just before the application of the stimulus. The mean (sd) minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane was 5.3 (1.04) per cent (range 3.2 to 6.4 per cent), 28 per cent less than the previously published value for desflurane alone after the induction of anaesthesia with xylazine and ketamine. The cardiopulmonary parameters remained stable throughout the period of anaesthesia. The mean (sd) time taken by the ponies to stand after the administration of desflurane ceased was 16.5 (6.17) (range 5.8 to 26) minutes, and the quality of recovery was good or excellent. However, one pony died shortly after standing; a postmortem examination revealed that it had chronic left atrial dilatation.
Publication Date: 2001-04-09 PubMed ID: 11292086DOI: 10.1136/vr.148.9.264Google 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.
- Clinical Trial
- 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.
This research investigates the minimum effective dose of the anaesthetic desflurane when used in conjunction with medetomidine on ponies. The results show that this combination is effective and generally safe, though caution should be exercised in animals with existing heart conditions.
Methodology
- The study involved seven ponies, testing the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of desflurane when used alongside a continuous infusion of medetomidine. Medetomidine was administered at a rate of 3.5 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per hour.
- Anesthesia was induced using an initial dose of medetomidine, followed by ketamine. This was then maintained with doses of desflurane mixed in oxygen.
- The medetomidine infusion was initiated 20 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia. An electrical test stimulus of specified strength and frequency was applied to the coronary band of the ponies.
- The heart rates and rhythms, arterial blood pressures, and arterial blood gas tensions of the ponies were measured at specific intervals, just before the application of each electrical stimulus.
Results
- The mean MAC of desflurane in combination with medetomidine infusion was found to be 5.3%, with a standard deviation (sd) of 1.04%. The range was between 3.2% and 6.4%.
- This value is 28% less than the previously published value for the MAC of desflurane when used alone after the induction of anaesthesia with two other drugs, xylazine and ketamine.
- The cardiovascular parameters remained stable throughout the period of anaesthesia, indicating that this combination of drugs is generally safe for pony anaesthesia.
- The ponies took an average of 16.5 minutes (sd=6.17, range 5.8-26 minutes) to stand up after the desflurane administration ceased. The researchers rated the quality of recovery as good or excellent.
Conclusion and Additional Remarks
- The results suggest that the combination of medetomidine and desflurane is an effective method of anaesthesia for ponies, and that this combination reduces the amount of desflurane needed as compared to when it is used alone.
- However, one pony died shortly after standing up. A postmortem examination revealed that this animal had chronic left atrial dilatation, suggesting that this method of anaesthesia might not be suitable for animals with existing cardiovascular conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Jäggin-Schmucker N, Lendl C, Bettschart RW, Clarke KW.
(2001).
Minimal alveolar concentration of desflurane in combination with an infusion of medetomidine for the anaesthesia of ponies.
Vet Rec, 148(9), 264-267.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.148.9.264 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Inhalation
- Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / administration & dosage
- Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / pharmacokinetics
- Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / pharmacology
- Anesthesia, General / veterinary
- Anesthetics, Inhalation / administration & dosage
- Anesthetics, Inhalation / pharmacokinetics
- Anesthetics, Inhalation / pharmacology
- Animals
- Blood Gas Analysis
- Blood Pressure
- Desflurane
- Heart Rate
- Horses
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Isoflurane / administration & dosage
- Isoflurane / analogs & derivatives
- Isoflurane / pharmacokinetics
- Isoflurane / pharmacology
- Medetomidine / administration & dosage
- Medetomidine / pharmacokinetics
- Medetomidine / pharmacology
- Pulmonary Alveoli / chemistry
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
