Propofol anaesthesia for surgery in late gestation pony mares.
Abstract: To characterize propofol anaesthesia in pregnant ponies. Methods: Fourteen pony mares, at 256 ± 49 days gestation, undergoing abdominal surgery to implant fetal and maternal vascular catheters. Methods: Pre-anaesthetic medication with intravenous (IV) acepromazine (20 µg kg), butorphanol (20 µg kg) and detomidine (10 µg kg) was given 30 minutes before induction of anaesthesia with detomidine (10 µg kg) and ketamine (2 mg kg) IV Maternal arterial blood pressure was recorded (facial artery) throughout anaesthesia. Arterial blood gas values and plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate, cortisol and propofol were measured at 20-minute intervals. Anaesthesia was maintained with propofol infused initially at 200 µg kg minute, and at 130-180 µg kg minute after 60 minutes, ventilation was controlled with oxygen and nitrous oxide to maintain PaCO between 5.0 and 6.0 kPa (37.6 and 45.1 mm Hg) and PaO between 13.3 and 20.0 kPa (100 and 150.4 mm Hg). During anaesthesia flunixin (1 mg kg), procaine penicillin (6 IU) and butorphanol 80 µg kg were given. Lactated Ringer's solution was infused at 10 mL kg hour. Simultaneous fetal and maternal blood samples were withdrawn at 85-95 minutes. Recovery from anaesthesia was assisted. Results: Arterial blood gas values remained within intended limits. Plasma propofol levels stabilized after 20 minutes (range 3.5-9.1 µg kg); disposition estimates were clearance 6.13 ± 1.51 L minute (mean ± SD) and volume of distribution 117.1 ± 38.9 L (mean ± SD). Plasma cortisol increased from 193 ± 43 nmol L before anaesthesia to 421 ± 96 nmol L 60 minutes after anaesthesia. Surgical conditions were excellent. Fetal umbilical venous pH, PO and PCO were 7.35 ± 0.04, 6.5 ± 0.5 kPa (49 ± 4 mm Hg) and 6.9 ± 0.5 kPa (52 ± 4 mm Hg); fetal arterial pH, PO and PCO were 7.29 ± 0.06, 3.3 ± 0.8 kPa (25 ± 6 mm Hg) and 8.7 ± 0.9 kPa (65 ± 7 mm Hg), respectively. Recovery to standing occurred at 46 ± 17 minutes, and was generally smooth. Ponies regained normal behaviour patterns immediately. Conclusions: Propofol anaesthesia was smooth with satisfactory cardiovascular function in both mare and fetus; we believe this to be a suitable anaesthetic technique for pregnant ponies.
Copyright © 2001 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2016-11-15 PubMed ID: 28404242DOI: 10.1046/j.1467-2987.2001.00044.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigated the use of propofol as an anaesthetic in late-gestation pony mares undergoing surgery. The study found that the administration of propofol resulted in satisfactory cardiovascular function both in the mares and their fetuses, suggesting that it’s a suitable anesthetic technique for pregnant ponies.
Research Method
- The study was performed on fourteen pony mares around 256 days into their pregnancies, who were set to undergo abdominal surgery to implant vascular catheters in both the mares and the fetuses.
- A combination of acepromazine, butorphanol, and detomidine was administered intravenously as pre-anesthetic medication 30 minutes prior to the induction of anesthesia. Detomidine and ketamine were used to induce anesthesia.
- The mares’ arterial blood pressure was continuously monitored throughout the anesthesia period. Arterial blood gas values and plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate, cortisol, and propofol were measured every 20 minutes.
- Anaesthesia was maintained with a propofol infusion, with the dosage adjusted after 60 minutes. Ventilation was controlled with oxygen and nitrous oxide to maintain certain levels of arterial carbon dioxide and oxygen.
- Medications like flunixin, procaine penicillin, and butorphanol were administered during anesthesia, and the ponies were infused with a Lactated Ringer’s solution.
- Simultaneous blood samples were taken from the mare and the fetus around 85-95 minutes into the procedure.
- Recovery from anesthesia was assisted, and the time to standing and behavior patterns of the ponies were observed after the operations.
Results and Conclusion
- The arterial blood gas values remained within the targeted range throughout the procedure. Plasma propofol levels stabilized after 20 minutes.
- Plasma cortisol levels increased from pre-anesthesia to 60 minutes post-anesthesia, indicating a stress response to the surgery.
- The surgical conditions were found to be excellent, suggesting the effectiveness of the anesthesia.
- Fetal arterial and venous blood gas values were measured and found within satisfactory ranges, showing that the fetus did not experience substantial distress during the surgery.
- Recovery from anesthesia was smooth, with standing occurring after an average of 46 minutes and normal behavior patterns regained immediately.
- The research concludes that propofol anaesthesia provided smooth and satisfactory cardiovascular function in pregnant ponies and their fetuses, deeming it a suitable anesthetic technique for such procedures.
Cite This Article
APA
Taylor PM, White KL, Fowden AL, Giussani DA, Bloomfield M, Sear JW.
(2016).
Propofol anaesthesia for surgery in late gestation pony mares.
Vet Anaesth Analg, 28(4), 177-187.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-2987.2001.00044.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge, UK. Electronic address: pmt12@cam.ac.uk.
- University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge, UK.
- University of Cambridge, Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge, UK.
- University of Cambridge, Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge, UK.
- University of Cambridge, Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge, UK.
- Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, University of Oxford, UK.
Citations
This article has been cited 3 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).
- O'Connor SJ, Ousey JC, Gardner DS, Fowden AL, Giussani DA. Development of baroreflex function and hind limb vascular reactivity in the horse fetus.. J Physiol 2006 Apr 1;572(Pt 1):155-64.
- Giussani DA, Forhead AJ, Fowden AL. Development of cardiovascular function in the horse fetus.. J Physiol 2005 Jun 15;565(Pt 3):1019-30.
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