title: Cardiovascular effects of romifidine in the standing horse.
abstract: The cardiovascular effects of romifidine, an alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist, were investigated in six horses using two doses (80 and 120 microg kg(-1)) in a cross-over study design. Cardiac index and mixed venous oxygenation were significantly decreased at 15 and 30 minutes after both doses of romifidine. Systemic vascular resistance was significantly increased with romifidine (120 microg kg(-1)). Arterial blood pressure increased initially and then gradually decreased; the doses of decrease was significant at 90 and 120 minutes with romifidine 80 and 120 microg kg(-1). There were minimal differences between the two doses of romifidine, and both should be used with care especially in horses with cardiovascular compromise, or when used in combination with other cardiovascular depressant drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead lane, N.Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK. sfreeman@rvc.ac.uk
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bettschart-Wolfensberger
authors.forename: H I K
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Alibhai
authors.forename: G C W
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: England
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; C076257:romifidine