Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Effects of Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Horses

Abstract

The effects of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane on hemodynamic, pulmonary and blood chemistry variables were measured during spontaneous and controlled ventilation in healthy horses. Sevoflurane was the only anesthetic drug administered to the horses. In a dose-dependent manner, sevoflurane significantly decreased (P < .05) mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, and stroke volume. There was a progressive decrease in peripheral vascular resistance and an increase in heart rate as the concentration of sevoflurane was increased, but the differences were not significant. During spontaneous ventilation there was a dose-dependent decrease in respiratory rate that caused a decrease in the minute volume. As the dose of sevoflurane increased, the arterial carbon dioxide tension also increased (P < .05). All blood chemistries remained within normal limits. Recovery from anesthesia was without incident. In conclusion, sevoflurane induces a dose-dependent decrease in hemodynamic variables and pulmonary function in horses that is not greatly different from that of other approved inhalant anesthetics.

Comparison of Isoflurane and Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Holstein Calves for Placement of Portal and Jugular Vein Cannulas

“…The results of the study showed no statistically significant differences in cardiovascular or respiratory effects when comparing sevoflurane to isoflurane, which are consistent with previous reports in dogs, sheep, goats, humans and horses (Aida et al, 1996;Ebert et al, 1995;Hikasa et al, 1998;Matthews et al, 1998;Mutoh et al, 1997). Attempts to stand and recovery times appeared to occur faster for sevoflurane upon review of the data, although not statistically significant.…”

“…In dogs, it has been suggested that the differences in vagolytic activity of the inhalation anesthetics is responsible for the increase in HR observed (Steffey and Mama, 2007). In horses HR increased as the concentration of sevoflurane increased above 1 MAC, but the differences were not significant (Aida et al, 1996). In the present study, heart rate remained steady throughout the surgery and there was no statistical differences noted between sevoflurane and isoflurane.…”

“…The cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane are reportedly similar to isoflurane where both anesthetics cause dose dependent decreases in blood pressure, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance in humans, dogs, horses, sheep and goats (Aida et al, 1996;Ebert et al, 1995;Hikasa et al, 1998;Mutoh et al, 1997;Steffey and Mama, 2007;Stoelting, 1999). In awake cattle, normal HR and MAP have been reported to range from 60-80 beats per min with a pressure range of 90-140 mm Hg, respectively (Muir et al, 2007).…”

“…Sevoflurane and isoflurane have been reported to cause similar dose-dependent respiratory effects Science Publications AJAVS characterized by a decrease in RR and an increase in PETCO2 in dogs, horses and goats when maintained at 1 MAC (Aida et al, 1996;Galloway et al, 2004;Hikasa et al, 1998;Johnson et al, 1998;Mutoh et al, 1997). In ruminants, positioning in lateral recumbency (Fujimoto and Lenehan, 1985) and bloating due to continuous ruminal fermentation during anesthesia has been shown to impair ventilation (Lin and Pugh, 2012).…”

“…The cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane are reportedly similar to isoflurane where both anesthetics cause dose dependent decreases in blood pressure, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance in humans, dogs, horses, goats and sheep (Aida et al, 1996;Ebert et al, 1995;Hikasa et al, 1998;Mutoh et al, 1997). An increase in heart rate has been reported in dogs (Bernard et al, 1990;Ebert et al, 1995;Mutoh et al, 1997) whereas it remained unchanged in humans, sheep and goats (Ebert et al, 1995;Hikasa et al, 1998; during sevoflurane anesthesia.…”