title: Increasing halothane concentration abolishes anesthesia-associated arrhythmias in cats and dogs.
abstract: Fifteen cats and 6 dogs developed ventricular arrhythmias during halothane anesthesia. Halothane was administered by precision vaporizer, using a semiclosed anesthetic system. Cardiac arrhythmias were diagnosed within 5 to 10 minutes after a surgical plane of anesthesia was achieved. Arrhythmias in 9 of 15 cats and 3 of 6 dogs were converted to sinus rhythm by increasing the inspired halothane concentration. Conversion to sinus rhythm occurred within 4 minutes. Cardiac arrhythmias were reestablished in 8 of 9 cats and 2 of 3 dogs, after decreasing the inspired halothane concentration to its original value. Increasing the inspired halothane concentration can convert anesthetic-associated ventricular arrhythmias to sinus rhythm in dogs and cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1089.
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hubbell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flaherty
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D006221:Halothane / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D006221:Halothane