title: Balanced anesthesia and constant-rate infusions in horses.
abstract: Balanced anesthetic techniques are commonly used in equine patients, and include the combination of a volatile anesthetic with at least one injectable anesthetic throughout the maintenance period. Injectable anesthetics used in balanced anesthesia include the α2-agonists, lidocaine, ketamine, and opioids, and those with muscle-relaxant properties such as benzodiazepines and guaifenesin. Administration of these injectable anesthetics is best using constant-rate infusions based on the pharmacokinetics of the drug, which allows steady-state concentrations and predictable pharmacodynamic actions. This review summarizes the different drug combinations used in horses, and provides calculated recommended doses based on the pharmacokinetics of individual drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada. valverde@uoguelph.ca
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valverde
mesh_terms: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000818:Animals; D058126:Balanced Anesthesia / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined