Effects of lumbosacral subarachnoid catheterization in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of long duration subarachnoid catheterization in horses on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cellularity and bacteriology, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal body temperature, and spontaneous locomotor activity.


METHODS
Prospective experimental study.


METHODS
Five clinically normal healthy adults horses weighing 511 +/- 47 kg.


METHODS
Subarachnoid catheters were placed using sedation and local anesthesia and maintained for 48 hours in standing horses. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were tested for cellularity and bacteria growth. Heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood pressure, and body temperature were recorded. Locomotor activity was graded. One-way repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni's test were used to statistically compare data from baseline to 12, 24, and 48 hours.


RESULTS
Subarachnoid catheterization in horses produced an acute inflammatory reaction after 12 hours of catheterization, as evidenced by a statistically significant increase in CSF white blood cell count. No bacterial contamination was encountered. No significant differences were found in heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and arterial blood pressure. The horses did not develop motor ataxia or proprioceptive deficits during 48 hours of catheterization.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study suggest that 48 hours of subarachnoid catheterization in horses does not produce clinical signs of neurologic dysfunction or cardiovascular and respiratory changes, even though an inflammatory reaction occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Subarachnoid catheterization in horses is preferred for monitoring CSF pressure or for repeated collection. Understanding the effects of catheterization alone, allows the clinician to better interpret abnormalities in CSF collected.
Natalini
C C
CC
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA.
Robinson
E P
EP
D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001831:Body Temperature; D002404:Catheterization / Q000662:veterinary*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008124:Locomotion; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012119:Respiration; D013346:Subarachnoid Space