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Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia2014; 42(1); 1-16; doi: 10.1111/vaa.12196

Partial intravenous anaesthesia in the horse: a review of intravenous agents used to supplement equine inhalation anaesthesia. Part 2: opioids and alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists.

Abstract: To review the literature with regard to the use of different intravenous agents as supplements to inhalational anaesthesia in horses. The Part 2 of this review will focus in the use of opioids and α2 -agonists. Methods: Pubmed and Web of Science. Search terms: horse, inhalant anaesthesia, balanced anaesthesia, partial intravenous anaesthesia, opioids, morphine, pethidine, butorphanol, methadone, fentanyl, alfentanil, remifentanil, sufentanil, xylazine, romifidine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine. Conclusions: Different drugs and their combinations can be administered systemically in anaesthetized horses aiming to reduce the amount of the volatile agent while improving the recovery qualities and providing a multimodal analgesic approach. However, full studies as to whether these techniques improve cardiopulmonary status are not always available and potential disadvantages should also be considered.
© 2014 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-02 PubMed ID: 24984895DOI: 10.1111/vaa.12196Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article reviews the use of different intravenous agents, specifically opioids and alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists, as supplements to inhalation anesthesia in horses. The aim of this supplementation is to reduce the volume of inhaled anesthetic, improve the quality of recovery, and provide multimodal pain relief. The research also notes the need for further studies to assess the impact of these techniques on heart and lung health, and points out potential drawbacks.

Methods and Search Terms

  • The research methodology used for this review includes comprehensive literature searches on Pubmed and Web of Science.
  • Search terms include: horse, inhalant anaesthesia, balanced anaesthesia, partial intravenous anaesthesia, opioids, morphine, pethidine, butorphanol, methadone, fentanyl, alfentanil, remifentanil, sufentanil, xylazine, romifidine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine.

Supplements to Inhalation Anesthesia

  • The primary focus of the review is on the use of various intravenous anesthesia agents, with an emphasis on opioids and alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists, to supplement inhalational anaesthetics in equine medicine.
  • The goal of this combined approach, often referred to as balanced anaesthesia or partial intravenous anaesthesia, is to improve the quality of anaesthesia in horses by reducing the amount of inhaled anesthetics, improving recovery qualities, and offering a multimodal approach to pain control.

Necessity for Further Research

  • While the combined use of intravenous and inhaled anesthetics may offer potential benefits, the authors note that comprehensive studies to evaluate whether these techniques improve the heart and lung health status are not always available.
  • Moreover, the review also highlights the need to consider potential disadvantages of these techniques, suggesting a balanced, evidence-based approach when deciding on anesthetic protocols for horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Gozalo-Marcilla M, Gasthuys F, Schauvliege S. (2014). Partial intravenous anaesthesia in the horse: a review of intravenous agents used to supplement equine inhalation anaesthesia. Part 2: opioids and alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists. Vet Anaesth Analg, 42(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12196

Publication

Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia
ISSN: 1467-2995
NlmUniqueID: 100956422
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-16

Researcher Affiliations

Gozalo-Marcilla, Miguel
  • Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Gasthuys, Frank
    Schauvliege, Stijn

      MeSH Terms

      • Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / administration & dosage
      • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
      • Anesthesia, Inhalation / veterinary
      • Anesthesia, Intravenous / veterinary
      • Anesthetics, Intravenous / administration & dosage
      • Animals
      • Horses / physiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 16 times.
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