Management and complications of anesthesia for transvenous electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in horses: 62 cases (2002–2006)

Abstract

Short-duration anesthesia for TVEC of atrial fibrillation in horses without underlying cardiac disease was a safe procedure.

Cardiovascular responses to transvenous electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in anaesthetized horses

“…In the present study, mean HR was 34 ± 6 beats per minute and SI, CI and ABP were within the normal ranges reported for healthy, isoflurane anaesthetized horses. These results agree with the findings of Bellei et al. (2007), who reported that perianaesthetic complications and overall cardiovascular data of 62 horses anaesthetized for TVEC and of 60 healthy horses anaesthetized for magnetic resonance imaging were comparable.…”

“…Peri‐ and post‐operative pain relief, in the present study, was provided by administration of flunixin meglumine for 2–3 days because a mild degree of muscle stiffness was observed in the first horses undergoing TVEC. Bellei et al. (2007) also reported that 7.9% of the horses undergoing TVEC had mild signs of possible post‐anaesthetic myopathy, characterized by mild to moderate tachycardia, stiffness of gait, discomfort, muscle swelling or lameness.…”

“…In horses, biphasic shocks are used for TVEC (McGurrin et al. 2003; Bellei et al. 2007; De Clercq et al.…”

“…In the study of Bellei et al. (2007), inotropic drugs, mostly dobutamine at doses of 1–5 μg kg −1 minute −1 , were administered in 73.7% of the horses anaesthetized for TVEC, but were discontinued 5 minutes before TVEC.…”

“…2008). Recently, Bellei et al. (2007) described the management and complications of anaesthesia for transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) in 62 horses.…”