title: Paradoxical bradycardia during surgical caudal vena cava occlusion in an anesthetized dog.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the anesthetic management of a dog undergoing caudal vena cava (CVC) occlusion during adrenalectomy, and to discuss a reflex bradycardia that was observed during the procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  General anesthesia of a 10-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback for excision of an adrenal mass and associated CVC tumor thrombus was performed. The dog was premedicated with IV methadone and anesthesia was induced with IV alfaxalone and maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. An IV remifentanil infusion was administered for intraoperative analgesia. Surgical removal of the thrombus necessitated temporary complete occlusion of the CVC. During CVC occlusion an acute paradoxical bradycardia occurred, which was successfully treated with IV atropine. The cardiovascular change resembled a Bezold-Jarisch or reverse Bainbridge reflex, and was believed to be mediated by cardiac mechanoreceptors following the sudden decrease in preload. Increased myocardial contractility subsequent to increased sympathetic nervous system activity may also have contributed. A decrease in urine output was observed following CVC occlusion but had returned to normal 2 hours following the end of anesthesia. Recovery from anesthesia was otherwise uneventful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the mechanism is unclear, a paradoxical bradycardia may occur during complete CVC occlusion in the dog. Factors that increase sympathetic nervous system outflow, such as administration of dopamine, may have contributed to the occurrence of the reflex.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Raisis
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Hildegriet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haitjema
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Eleanor A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Drynan
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Giselle L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Hosgood
mesh_terms: D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001919:Bradycardia; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D012018:Reflex; D014684:Venae Cavae / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Bezold-Jarisch reflex; anesthesia; canine; reverse Bainbridge reflex; vascular surgery