TRANSCUTANEOUS OXYGEN MONITORING IN LOUISIANA PINE SNAKES (PITUOPHIS RUTHVENI).

Hypoxic physiological states may occur during anesthetic events of snakes but accurate monitoring of oxygenation is challenging. Oxygenation levels of nine Louisiana pine snakes (Pituophis ruthveni) were assessed using transcutaneous regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) at the level of the liver (rSO2Liver) and at the halfway point of the body (rSO2Half ). Reflectance pulse oximetry measured SpO2, with a sensor overlying the heart. Values were compared with the venous partial pressure of oxygen (PvO2). Measurements were taken during four phases, simulating an anesthetic event: phase 1, breathing room air; phase 2, while supplied with supplemental oxygen via face mask; phase 3, during ketamine and dexmedetomidine sedation; and phase 4, after receiving atipamezole. There were no significant changes in any oxygenation parameters between concurrent phases, but respiratory rate significantly decreased (P = 0.02) between phases 1 and 2. Strong positive associations were found between both rSO2Liver and rSO2Half when compared with PvO2 irrespective of phase (r = 0.72, r = 0.63 respectively), but not with SpO2 (r = 0.3). Strength of correlation varied with each phase but was uniformly strongest for rSO2Liver. The measurement of rSO2 appears superior compared with traditional pulse oximetry for assessing oxygenation levels of snakes.

Comparison of fluid types for resuscitation in acute hemorrhagic shock and evaluation of gastric luminal and transcutaneous Pco2 in Leghorn chickens.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 3 different fluid types for resuscitation after experimentally induced hemorrhagic shock in anesthetized chickens and to evaluate partial pressures of carbon dioxide measured in arterial blood (Paco2), with a transcutaneous monitor (TcPco2), with a gastric intraluminal monitor (GiPco2), and by end tidal measurements (Etco2) under stable conditions and after induced hemorrhagic shock. Hemorrhagic shock was induced in 40 white leghorn chickens by removing 50% of blood volume by phlebotomy under general anesthesia. Birds were divided into 4 groups: untreated (control group) and treated with intravenous hetastarch (haes group), with a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (hemospan group), or by autotransfusion (blood group). Respiratory rates, heart rates, and systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) were compared at 8 time points (baseline [T0]; at the loss of 10% [T10%], 20% [T20%], 30% [T30%], 40% [T40%], and 50% [T50%] of blood volume; at the end of resuscitation [RES]; and at the end of anesthesia [END]). Packed cell volume (PCV) and blood hemoglobin content were compared at 6 time points (T0, T50%, RES, and 1, 3, and 7 days after induced hemorrhagic shock). Measurements of Paco2, TcPco2, GiPco2, and Etco2 were evaluated at 2 time points (T0 and T50%), and venous lactic acid concentrations were evaluated at 3 time points (T0, T50%, and END). No significant differences were found in mortality, respiratory rate, heart rate, PCV, or hemoglobin values among the 4 groups. Birds given fluid resuscitation had significantly higher SAPs after fluid administration than did birds in the control group. In all groups, PCV and hemoglobin concentrations began to rise by day 3 after phlebotomy, and baseline values were reached 7 days after blood removal. At T0, TcPco2 did not differ significantly from Paco2, but GiPco2 and Etco2 differed significantly from Paco2. After hemorrhagic shock, GiPco2 and TcPco2 differed significantly from Paco2. The TcPco2 or GiPco2 values did not differ significantly at any time point in birds that survived or died in any of the groups and across all groups. These results showed no difference in mortality in leghorn chickens treated with fluid resuscitation after hemorrhagic shock and that the PCV and hemoglobin concentrations increased by 3 days after acute hemorrhage with or without treatment. The different CO2 measurements document changes in CO2-values consistent with poor perfusion and may prove useful for serial evaluation of responses to shock and shock treatment.

Comparison of the cardiopulmonary parameters after induction of anaesthesia with alphaxalone or etomidate in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cardiorespiratory effects and quality of induction of and recovery from anaesthesia following etomidate or alphaxalone-HPCD IV. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized 'blinded' cross-over study. Twenty-four hours was allowed between phases. ANIMALS: Eight healthy adult Beagles (four male, four female). METHODS: Dogs were anaesthetized with sevoflurane for instrumentation, then allowed to awake. They then received etomidate (treatment E) or alphaxalone-HPCD (treatment A) intravenously to effect. Heart rate (HR), body temperature, invasive arterial pressures (AP), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), stroke volume index, cardiac index (CI), contractility, respiratory rate, central venous pressure, and capnometry were obtained before anaesthetic induction (baseline), 30 seconds and 1 minute after induction, after intubation, one minute after intubation, and for every 5 minutes afterwards until the dog began to swallow and the trachea was extubated. Arterial bloods were taken for analyses before induction, after intubation and every 10 minutes thereafter. The dogs breathed room air. The quality of induction of and recovery from anaesthesia were scored categorically. Statistical analyses used anova for repeated measures, paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed rank-test as relevant. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The induction doses required were (mean ± SD) 2.91 ± 0.41 mg kg(-1) and 4.15 ± 0.7 mg kg(-1) for treatment E and A respectively. No significant changes in cardiovascular parameters were observed with treatment E. Treatment A resulted in statistically significant increases in HR and CI and reductions of APs and SVRI. Time to extubation was longer with treatment A (25 ± 7 minutes) than with treatment E (17 ± 4 minutes). Dogs became hypoxic with both treatments. The quality of induction and recovery were excellent with treatment A, but significantly less satisfactory with treatment E (recovery score, treatment E median 1, range 0-2; treatment A median 0, range 0-1). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Alphaxalone-HPCD caused significant tachycardia and increase in CI, and statistically (but not clinically) significant decreases in APs and SVRI. Etomidate caused no statistically significant cardiovascular changes. Quality of recovery was better with alfaxalone-HPCD. Both agents caused short-lived hypoxia, and oxygen supplementation is advisable.

Transcutaneous monitor approximates PaCO(2) but not PaO(2) in anesthetized rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of transcutaneous (tc) to arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2) ) and partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2) ) in anesthetized rabbits. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, experimental study. ANIMALS: Eight healthy adult female New Zealand white rabbits weighing 4.05± 0.30 kg. METHODS: Isoflurane anesthetized rabbits received six treatments in random order; PaCO(2) <35, 35-45, and >45 mmHg and PaO(2) < 80, 100-200, >200 mmHg. Arterial and transcutaneous measurements were taken after 15 minutes of stabilization at each condition. Linear regression, correlation and Bland-Altman analysis were performed to compare PtcCO(2) to PaCO(2) and PtcO(2) to PaO(2) . RESULTS: Over a range of measured PaCO(2) values from 21 to 67 mmHg (n=24) mean bias for PtcCO(2) was -1 mmHg and the 95% limits of agreement were -7 to 5 mmHg. The correlation between PtcCO(2) and PaCO(2) was strong with R(2) value of 0.9454. Over the entire range of measured PaO(2) values (46-508 mmHg) mean bias for PtcO(2) was -61 mmHg and the 95% limits of agreement were -226 to 104 mmHg. Correlation was poor with R(2) =0.5969. Comparing PtcO(2) to PaO(2) over a narrower range [PaO(2) < 150 mmHg (n=13)] improved the correlation, with an R(2) value of 0.8518, mean bias of -7 mmHg and 95% limits of agreement from -33 to 19 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In healthy anesthetized rabbits, PtcCO(2) closely approximated PaCO(2) . In contrast PtcO(2) underestimated PaO(2) , particularly at high values. The PtcCO(2) sensor may be a useful noninvasive way to assess adequacy of ventilation in anesthetized rabbits.

Evaluation of a combined transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure and pulse oximetry sensor in adult sheep and dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a combined transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure (tcPCO(2)) and pulse oximetry sensor in sheep and dogs. ANIMALS: 13 adult sheep and 11 adult dogs. PROCEDURES: During inhalation anesthesia, for the first 10 minutes following sensor placement, arterial blood gas was analyzed and tcPCO(2) was recorded every 2 minutes. Subsequently, the animals were hyper-, normo-, and hypoventilated. The simultaneously obtained tcPCO(2) and PaCO(2) values were analyzed by use of Bland-Altman statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD overall difference between tcPCO(2) and PaCO(2) 10 minutes after sensor application was 13.3 +/- 8.4 mm Hg in sheep and 8.9 +/- 12 mm Hg in dogs. During hyper-, normo-, and hypoventilation, mean difference (bias) and precision (limits of agreement [bias +/- 2 SD]) between tcPCO(2) and PaCO(2) values were 13.2 +/- 10.4 mm Hg (limits of agreement, -7.1 and 33.5 mm Hg) in sheep and 10.6 +/- 10.5 mm Hg (limits of agreement, -9.9 and 31.2 mm Hg) in dogs, respectively. Changes in PaCO(2) induced by different ventilation settings were detected by the tcPCO(2) sensor with a lag (response) time of 4.9 +/- 3.5 minutes for sheep and 6.2 +/- 3.6 minutes for dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The tcPCO(2) sensor overestimated PaCO(2) in sheep and dogs and followed changes in PaCO(2) with a considerable lag time. The tcPCO(2) sensor might be useful for noninvasive monitoring of changes but cannot be used as a surrogate measure for PaCO(2).

Monitoring of the ventilatory status of anesthetized birds of prey by using end-tidal carbon dioxide measured with a microstream capnometer.

The relationship between end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PETCO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and blood pH in isoflurane-anesthetized raptors was evaluated. PaCO2 and pH were determined in serial arterial samples from isoflurane anesthetized birds and compared with concurrent end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide measured with a Microstream sidestream capnograph. Forty-eight paired samples, taken from 11 birds of prey (weighing 416-2,062 g), were used to determine correlations coefficients between PaCO2 and PETCO2, and between PETCO2 and pH. Limits of agreement between PaCO2 and PETCO2 also were calculated. Strong correlations were observed between PaCO2 and PETCO2 (r = 0.94; P < 0.0001) as well as between PETCO2 and pH (r = -0.90; P < 0.0001). However, the level of agreement between PaCO2 and PETCO2 varied considerably. Low values of PETCO2, ranging from 18 to 29 mm Hg, exceeded the concomitantly measured values of PaCO2 by an average of 6.0 mm Hg (6.0 +/- 1.9 mm Hg; mean +/- SD). Conversely, high values of PETCO2, ranging from 50 to 63 mm Hg, were on average 7.6 mm Hg (7.6 +/- 9.8 mm Hg) lower than values of PaCO2. In the 30 to 49 mm Hg range for PETCO2, the difference between PETCO2 and PaCO2 was on average 1.0 mm Hg (1.0 +/- 8.5 mm Hg). These results suggest that the capnograph used provided a sufficiently accurate estimation of arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide for birds weighing > 400 g and receiving manual positive ventilation with a Bain system. In our study, the linear relationship observed between the pH and the end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide suggested that the monitoring of end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide also can be useful to prevent respiratory acidosis.

Description of a technique for anaesthetizing pregnant ewes for fetal surgery.

General anaesthesia in 12 pregnant ewes undergoing surgery for fetal physiological research was supplemented with an intravenous infusion of remifentanil. This allowed us to employ a lighter plane of surgical anaesthesia and to use intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Our aim was to improve fetomaternal outcome. We monitored maternal pulse, blood pressure, transcutaneous oxygen saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide levels. Remifentanil doses of 0.75-2.0 microg/kg/min were needed and typically this allowed halothane concentrations of 1-1.5% to be used for maintenance of anaesthesia. Surgery lasted up to 2.5 h. All 12 ewes and their singleton fetuses survived the peri- and postoperative period in good condition.

Fetal and maternal placental and nonplacental clearances of metoclopramide in chronically instrumented pregnant sheep.

The placental and nonplacental clearances of metoclopramide were studied in nine chronically instrumented, near-term pregnant sheep using a two-compartment open model. Metoclopramide was administered to the ewe and fetus on separate occasions as an initial iv bolus loading dose followed by a constant-rate infusion, with steady-state maternal and fetal plasma concentrations being obtained by 45 min. Following the maternal infusions, metoclopramide reached average steady-state concentrations of 50.0 +/- 20.2 ng/mL in the ewe and 27.1 +/- 8.6 ng/mL in the fetus, with a mean fetal-to-maternal concentration ratio of 0.57 +/- 0.14. The ability of the fetus to eliminate metoclopramide by nonplacental routes appears to be responsible for this ratio being less than unity, rather than differential protein binding and ion-trapping effects. Mean steady-state concentrations were 13.8 +/- 4.5 and 253.7 +/- 92.1 ng/mL in the ewe and fetus, respectively, after fetal drug administration. Metoclopramide was bound significantly less to fetal (39.5 +/- 8.9%) than to maternal (49.5 +/- 7.9%) plasma proteins, with values similar to that reported for humans (approximately 40%). Clearance of metoclopramide across the placenta from the fetus to the ewe (6.2 +/- 2.4 L/h/kg) was significantly greater than that in the reverse direction (4.3 +/- 1.3 L/h/kg) and accounted for approximately 80% of total fetal drug elimination. This may be explained by the higher percentage of fetal cardiac output to the placenta and the flow-limited transfer of this compound.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ultrasound guided, pre-radiation oxygen measurements using polarographic oxygen needle electrodes in spontaneous canine soft tissue sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: Poor tumour oxygenation is associated with radiation resistance. The recording of pre-treatment oxygenation status has been shown to be of prognostic relevance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven dogs with spontaneously arising soft tissue sarcomas were included in this study. Oxygen partial pressure measurements (pO2) were performed with the Eppendorf method. RESULTS: The mean of median pO2 was 9.6 mmHg (range: 0.1-30 mmHg). Four of the nine dogs included in the statistical analysis showed a median pO2 < or = 2.5 mmHg. The natural logarithm of the hypoxic subvolume correlated with the hypoxic fraction < or = 2.5 mmHg (p = 0.0712) and < or 5 mmHg (p = 0.0988). Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) correlated significantly to several oxygen parameters. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia exists in spontaneous canine soft tissue sarcomas and the dog can be used as a reliable model for repeated oxygenation measurements. Ultrasonography assures reliability of needle placement.

Transcutaneous blood gas monitoring in the rat.

Transcutaneous blood gas (TCBG) analysis is a noninvasive alternative method of estimation of blood gas tensions. The objective of the study reported here was to validate this method against standard blood gas (STBG) analysis in adult and juvenile Sprague-Dawley rats. We sought to establish the optimal TCBG probe site and temperature, to establish probe temperatures that would not cause thermal burns, to evaluate correlations between blood gas values (PaCO2 and PaO2) determined by use of TCBG and STBG, and to evaluate the sensitivity of the TCBG unit to changes in arterial blood gas partial pressures. Our results indicated that: in general, the xyphoid area was the optimal site for probe placement, with 44.5 degrees C being the optimal probe temperature for the highest correlation, but thermal burns may be a problem; probe temperatures of 42.5 degrees C (adults) and 42.0 degrees C (juveniles) do not cause thermal burns when left in place for three hours; probe temperatures of 44 degrees C (adults) and 42 degrees C (juveniles) resulted in moderate correlation between PaCO2 and PtcCO2; and the TCBG unit adequately responded to changes in arterial blood gas partial pressures. Neither PtcCO2 or PtcO2 reflect actual values of PaCO2 or PaO2, respectively. We concluded that TCBG analysis may be used as an indicator of change in PaCO2 with sufficient animal numbers under tightly controlled conditions, but not as an indicator of change in PaO2 in adult and juvenile rats.

Cardiopulmonary effects of positive end-expiratory pressure in anesthetized, mechanically ventilated ponies.

To investigate the cardiopulmonary effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), values of 10, 20, and 30 cm of H2O, were applied to anesthetized, dorsally recumbent, ventilated ponies. After IV induction of general anesthesia, PEEP was superimposed on controlled ventilation with 100% oxygen, and changes in gas exchange and cardiac function were measured. Increasing values of PEEP in these ponies caused a linear increase in the mean (+/- SEM) functional residual capacity, from a control value (zero end-expiratory pressure) of 1.7 +/- 0.24 L to 2.2 +/- 0.31, 2.9 +/- 0.32 and 3.4 +/- 0.3 L at PEEP of 10, 20, and 30 cm of H2O, respectively (P less than 0.05). Paralleling these changes, intrapulmonary shunt fraction decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) from a control value of 12.9 +/- 0.5%, to 7.5 +/- 1.1 and 2.1 +/- 0.6%, at PEEP of 20 and 30 cm of H2O, respectively. Cardiac output was decreased by increasing values of PEEP, from control value of 11.7 +/- 1.56 L/min to 9.9 +/- 1.51, 8.8 +/- 1.33 and 5.62 +/- 0.56 L/min at PEEP of 10, 20, and 30 cm of H2O, respectively. Related to decreasing cardiac output, tissue oxygen delivery also decreased as PEEP was increased, from control value of 2.0 +/- 0.09 L/min to 1.8 +/- 0.07, 1.6 +/- 0.06, and 1.03 +/- 0.04 L/min at PEEP of 10, 20, and 30 cm of H2O, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Urine-blood carbon dioxide tension gradient in healthy dogs.

The urine-blood carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) gradient was measured in 10 healthy mature Beagles after alkalinization of the urine by administration of sodium bicarbonate. The mean (+/- SD) urine-blood PCO2 gradient was 65.92 +/- 14.42 mm of Hg, with range of 38.2 to 82.2 mm of Hg. Mean urine PCO2 was 110.21 +/- 14.19 mm of Hg, with range of 84.1 to 127.3 mm of Hg. Because urine-blood PCO 2 gradient less than 30.0 mm of Hg or urine PCO2 less than 55 mm of Hg in people is diagnostic for a defect in distal nephron acidification, similar values might be applicable to diseases in dogs.

Effect of high PaCO2 and time on cerebrospinal fluid and intraocular pressure in halothane-anesthetized horses.

The effects of different arterial carbon dioxide tensions (PaCO2) on cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were studied in 6 male halothane-anesthetized horses positioned in left lateral recumbency. Steady-state anesthetic conditions (1.06% end-tidal halothane concentration) commenced 60 minutes following anesthetic induction with only halothane in oxygen. During atracurium neuromuscular blockade, horses were ventilated, and respiratory rate and peak inspiratory airway pressure were maintained within narrow limits. The CSFP and IOP were measured at 3 different levels of PaCO2 (approx 40, 60, and 80 mm of Hg). The PaCO2 sequence in each horse was determined from a type of switchback design with the initial PaCO2 (period 1), established 30 minutes after the commencement of steady-state anesthesia, being repeated in the middle (period 3) and again at the end (period 5) of the experiment. Measurements taken from the middle 3 periods (2, 3, and 4) would form a Latin square design replicated twice. The interval between each period was approximately 45 minutes. Data from periods 2, 3, and 4 indicated that CSFP (P less than 0.05) and mean systemic arterial pressure increased significantly (P less than 0.05) with high PaCO2. Mean central venous pressure, heart rate, and IOP did not change significantly during these same conditions. Measurements taken during periods 1, 3, and 5 were compared to assess the time-related responses to anesthesia and showed a significant increase in CSFP, a significant decrease in mean central venous pressure, and a small (but not statistically significant) increase in mean systemic arterial pressure.

Partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide, pH, and concentrations of bicarbonate, lactate, and glucose in pleural fluid from horses.

Samples of pleural fluid from 20 horses with effusive pleural diseases of various causes were evaluated; samples from 19 horses were used for the study. There were differences for pH (P = 0.001) and partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) between arterial blood and nonseptic pleural fluid (P = 0.0491), but there were no differences for pH, PO2, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), and concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO3-), lactate, and glucose between venous blood and nonseptic pleural fluid. Paired comparisons of venous blood and nonseptic pleural fluid from the same horse indicated no differences. There were differences (P = 0.0001, each) for pH, PO2, PCO2, and concentrations of HCO3- between arterial blood and septic pleural fluid. Differences also existed for pH (P = 0.0001), PCO2 (P = 0.0003), and concentrations of HCO3- (P = 0.0001), lactate (P = 0.0051), and glucose (P = 0.0001) between venous blood and septic pleural fluid. Difference was not found for values of PO2 between venous blood and septic pleural fluid, although 4 samples of septic pleural fluid contained virtually no oxygen. Paired comparisons of venous blood and septic pleural fluid from the same horse revealed differences (P less than 0.05) for all values, except those for PO2. These alterations suggested functional and physical compartmentalization that separated septic and healthy tissue. Compartmentalization and microenvironmental factors at the site of infection should be considered when developing therapeutic strategies for horses with septic pleural disease.

Hemodynamic effects of carbon dioxide during intermittent positive-pressure ventilation in horses.

The hemodynamic effects of high arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2) during anesthesia in horses were studied. Eight horses were anesthetized with xylazine, guaifenesin, and thiamylal, and were maintained with halothane in oxygen (end-tidal halothane concentration = 1.15%). Baseline data were collected while the horses were breathing spontaneously; then the horses were subjected to intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, and data were collected during normocapnia (PaCO2, 35 to 45 mm of Hg), moderate hypercapnia (PaCO2, 60 to 70 mm of Hg), and severe hypercapnia (PaCO2, 75 to 85 mm of Hg). Hypercapnia was induced by adding carbon dioxide to the inspired gas mixture. Moderate and severe hypercapnia were associated with significant (P less than 0.05) increases in aortic blood pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, maximal rate of increase and decrease in left ventricular pressure (positive and negative dP/dtmax, respectively), and median arterial blood flow, and decreased time constant for ventricular relaxation. These hemodynamic changes were accompanied by increased plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations. Administration of the beta-blocking drug, propranolol hydrochloride, markedly depressed the response to hypercapnia. This study confirmed that in horses, hypercapnia is associated with augmentation of cardiovascular function.

Effects of idazoxan, tolazoline, and yohimbine on xylazine-induced respiratory changes and central nervous system depression in ewes.

We compared the ability of 3 alpha 2-adrenoreceptor antagonists, idazoxan (0.05 mg/kg), tolazoline (2 mg/kg), and yohimbine (0.2 mg/kg) to reverse xylazine (0.3 mg/kg)-induced respiratory changes and CNS depression in 6 ewes. Once weekly, each ewe was given a random IV treatment of xylazine, followed in 5 minutes by either an antagonist or 0.9% NaCl solution. Xylazine alone caused recumbency for 54.2 +/- 5.3 minutes (mean +/- SEM). Xylazine also increased respiratory rate and decreased PaCO2 for at least 45 minutes, but did not significantly change arterial pH or PaCO2. Idazoxan and tolazoline were equally effective in reversing the respiratory actions of xylazine; however, yohimbine was less effective in reducing the respiratory rate and was ineffective in antagonizing the decreased PaO2. Idazoxan and tolazoline decreased the duration of xylazine-induced recumbency to 6.3 +/- 0.6 and 9.5 +/- 2.3 minutes, respectively, whereas yohimbine did not significantly change this effect of xylazine. Thus, at the dosages studied, idazoxan and tolazoline appeared to be more effective than yohimbine in reversing the respiratory and CNS depressant actions of xylazine in sheep.

Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of three rapidly acting barbiturates in dogs.

The cardiovascular and respiratory effects of 3 rapidly acting barbiturates, thiopental sodium, thiamylal sodium, and methohexital sodium, were studied in dogs from completion of injection until 12.5 minutes after injection. The doses administered were 19.4 mg of thiopental/kg of body weight, 18.4 mg of thiamylal/kg, and 9.7 mg of methohexital/kg, which were chosen as equipotent doses necessary to inhibit the laryngoscopic reflex in 50% of the population. To determine the cardiovascular and respiratory effects for each drug, the values at each measurement time following injection were compared with baseline values (T0). At the 15- and 30-second measurement times following thiopental administration, stroke volume (SV) decreased; heart rate (HR), left atrial pressure, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure increased; and cardiac index (CI), myocardial contractility, and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances were not different from baseline values. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was not different from the baseline value at 15 seconds, but was increased from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. All values except HR had returned to baseline values by 7.5 minutes. At all measurement times, arterial oxygen tension and arterial pH were decreased, and arterial carbon dioxide tension increased from baseline values. Although the cardiovascular and respiratory changes following administration of thiamylal and methohexital were similar to those described for thiopental, some differences were found. Following thiamylal administration, systemic vascular resistance increased at 1 minute, pulmonary vascular resistance increased at 1 and 2 minutes, and myocardial contractility increased at 1 and 2 minutes. Following methohexital administration, MAP decreased at 15 seconds, and SV decreased at all measurement times.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pulse oximetry and end tidal carbon dioxide monitoring.

Noninvasive monitoring of cardiopulmonary function through pulse oximetry and capnography provides immediate and important information for the clinician. These monitors are not a replacement for vigilant attention to the patient, however; they should be used in conjunction with arterial blood gas analysis and serial physical examinations to ensure that the continuous readings are accurate and make clinical sense.

High carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in rapidly growing broiler chickens.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether two-week-old rapidly growing broiler chickens with high metabolic activity have an increased risk of the development of heart failure three to five weeks later. The incidence of cardiac arrhythmias was assessed in broiler chickens with either a relatively high carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) or a low PCO2 in their venous blood. Their electrocardiograms (ECGS) were measured when the birds were between five and seven weeks old by means of a biotransplant which allowed them to move freely. Premature ventricular beats were observed in all the birds, but the largest numbers were observed in birds that had had a high PCO2 when they were two weeks old.

Reversal of medetomidine-induced cardiovascular and respiratory changes with atipamezole in dogs.

The effects of atipamezole, an alpha 2-antagonist, on six medetomidine-sedated laboratory beagles were studied in a randomised complete block design. The dogs were sedated with medetomidine (20, 40 or 80 micrograms/kg intramuscularly) and five- and 10-fold larger doses of atipamezole were administered intramuscularly 30 minutes later. Atipamezole significantly increased the medetomidine-depressed heart rate, respiratory frequency and arterial Po2. The drug also transiently decreased the mean arterial blood pressure but subsequently the blood pressure of the treated group did not differ from that of a group of dogs treated with a placebo.