A comparison of the duration and quality of recovery from isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane anaesthesia in dogs undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the recovery after anaesthesia with isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane in dogs undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Thirty-eight dogs weighing 23.7 +/- 12.6 kg.


METHODS
Following pre-medication with meperidine, 3 mg kg(-1) administered intramuscularly, anaesthesia was induced intravenously with propofol (mean dose 4.26 +/- 1.3 mg kg(-1)), the trachea was intubated, and an inhalational anaesthetic agent was administered in oxygen. The dogs were randomly allocated to one of three groups: group I (n = 13) received isoflurane, group S (n = 12) received sevoflurane and group D (n = 13) received desflurane. Parameters recorded included cardiopulmonary data, body temperature, end-tidal anaesthetic concentration, duration of anaesthesia, and recovery times and quality. Qualitative data were compared using chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests and quantitative data with anova and Kruskal-Wallis test. Post-hoc comparisons for quantitative data were undertaken with the Mann-Whitney U-test.


RESULTS
The duration of anaesthesia [mean and standard deviation (SD)] in group I was: 105.3 (27.48) minutes, group S: 120.67 (19.4) minutes, and group D: 113.69 (26.68) minutes (p = 0.32). Times to extubation [group I: 8 minutes, (interquartile range 6-9.5), group S: 7 minutes (IQR 5-7), group D: 5 minutes (IQR 3.5-7), p = 0.017] and to sternal recumbency [group I: 11 minutes (IQR 9.5-13.5), group S: 9.5 minutes (IQR 7.25-11.75), group D: 7 minutes (range 3.5-11.5), p = 0.048] were significantly different, as were times to standing. One dog, following sevoflurane, had an unacceptable quality of recovery, but most other recoveries were calm, with no significant difference between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
All three agents appeared suitable for use. Dogs' tracheas were extubated and the dogs recovered to sternal recumbency most rapidly after desflurane. This may be advantageous for animals with some neurological diseases and for day case procedures.
Lozano
Angeles Jimenez
AJ
Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield, UK. ajimenez@rvc.ac.uk
Brodbelt
David C
DC
Borer
Kate E
KE
Armitage-Chan
Elizabeth
E
Clarke
K W
KW
Alibhai
Hatim I K
HI
D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000662:veterinary; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000077335:Desflurane; D004285:Dogs; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077149:Sevoflurane
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane