title: Drugs for cardiovascular support in anesthetized horses.
abstract: Despite the use of balanced anesthesia and fluids, drugs for cardiovascular support are often needed in anesthetized horses. Antimuscarinics can be used to treat bradycardia unrelated to hypertension. Vasopressors can be useful when hypotension is caused by vasodilation and/or when the effect of fluids and inotropes is insufficient. In most cases, however, inotropes, including sympathomimetics, calcium salts, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors, are preferred. Of the β-sympathomimetics, dobutamine remains the agent of choice. Calcium salts are mainly useful in hypocalcemic patients. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors may offer an alternative solution, but more research is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Stijn.Schauvliege@UGent.be
authors.forename: Stijn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schauvliege
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gasthuys
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D007022:Hypotension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D004280:Dobutamine