RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of remifentanil infusion on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane preventing movement (SEVOMACNM) and bispectral index (BIS) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, unmasked study. ANIMALS: A total of 10 adult Beagle dogs weighing 9.0 ± 1.1 kg. METHODS: Dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane and baseline SEVOMACNM was determined. Remifentanil was infused at 5, 10 and 20 µg kg-1 hour-1, in sequence, with 20 minutes washout between infusions. Variables monitored throughout anesthesia included heart rate (HR), oscillometric blood pressure, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide, end-tidal sevoflurane concentration (Fe'Sevo) and BIS. SEVOMACNM after remifentanil infusion (SEVOMACNM-REMI) determination started 20 minutes after the start of each infusion. Venous blood samples were collected for plasma remifentanil concentration determination at baseline, SEVOMACNM-REMI determination time points, and 20 minutes after each infusion was stopped. A mixed model analysis was used to determine the effect of remifentanil infusion on response variables. The relationships between BIS and Fe'Sevo, plasma remifentanil concentrations and the percentage decrease in baseline SEVOMACNM were evaluated (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The overall SEVOMACNM at baseline was 2.47 ± 0.11%. Addition of remifentanil at all infusion rates significantly decreased SEVOMACNM, but the medium and high doses resulted in significantly greater decreases in SEVOMACNM than the lower dose. There was no difference in SEVOMACNM percentage change between infusions 10 and 20 µg kg-1 hour-1. Plasma remifentanil concentrations were significantly different in all infusion rates. Baseline BIS value was 70 ± 1 and was lower than the BIS values recorded during all remifentanil infusions. BIS values were not significantly different among infusion rates. HR was lower and mean arterial pressure was higher during remifentanil infusions than at baseline. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All remifentanil infusions decreased SEVOMACNM in dogs. Remifentanil infusion at any rate studied did not reduce BIS values.