Cardiopulmonary effects of diazepam-ketamine-isoflurane or xylazine-ketamine-isoflurane during abdominal surgery in foals.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate cardiopulmonary effects of anesthetic induction with diazepam and ketamine or xylazine and ketamine, with subsequent maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, in foals undergoing abdominal surgery.


METHODS
17 pony foals.


METHODS
Foals underwent laparotomy at 7 to 15 days of age and laparoscopy 7 to 10 days later. Foals were randomly assigned to receive diazepam, ketamine, and isoflurane (D/K/Iso; n = 8) or xylazine, ketamine, and isoflurane (X/K/Iso; 9) for both procedures.


RESULTS
During anesthesia for laparotomy, cardiac index, and mean arterial blood pressure ranged from 110 to 180 mL/kg/min and 57 to 81 mm Hg, respectively, in the D/K/Iso group and 98 to 171 mL/kg/min and 50 to 66 mm Hg, respectively, in the X/K/Iso group. Cardiac index, heart rate, and arterial blood pressures were significantly higher in the D/K/Iso group, compared with the X/K/Iso group. During anesthesia for laparoscopy, cardiac index and mean arterial blood pressure ranged from 85 to 165 mL/kg/min and 67 to 83 mm Hg, respectively, in the D/K/Iso group, and 98 to 171 mL/kg/min and 48 to 67 mm Hg, respectively, in the X/K/Iso group. Heart rates and arterial blood pressures were significantly higher in the D/K/Iso group, compared with the X/K/Iso group. There were no significant differences between groups during either experimental period for percentage end-tidal isoflurane, arterial blood gas partial pressures, or pH values.


CONCLUSIONS
Anesthesia of foals for abdominal surgery with D/K/Iso was associated with less hemodynamic depression than with X/K/Iso.
Kerr
Carolyn L
CL
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Bouré
Ludovic P
LP
Pearce
Simon G
SG
McDonell
Wayne N
WN
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018681:Anesthetics, General / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014991:Xylazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D018681:Anesthetics, General; D014991:Xylazine; D007649:Ketamine; D007530:Isoflurane; D003975:Diazepam