Cardiopulmonary effects of anesthetic induction with thiopental, propofol, or a combination of ketamine hydrochloride and diazepam in dogs sedated with a combination of medetomidine and hydromorphone

Saad S. Enouri Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 2W1, Canada.

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Carolyn L. Kerr Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 2W1, Canada.

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Wayne N. McDonell Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 2W1, Canada.

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Doris H. Dyson Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 2W1, Canada.

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Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of anesthetic induction with thiopental, propofol, or ketamine hydrochloride and diazepam in dogs sedated with medetomidine and hydromorphone.

Animals—6 healthy adult dogs.

Procedures—Dogs received 3 induction regimens in a randomized crossover study. Twenty minutes after sedation with medetomidine (10 μg/kg, IV) and hydromorphone (0.05 mg/kg, IV), anesthesia was induced with ketamine-diazepam, propofol, or thiopental and then maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Measurements were obtained prior to sedation (baseline), 10 minutes after administration of preanesthetic medications, after induction before receiving oxygen, and after the start of isoflurane-oxygen administration.

Results—Doses required for induction were 1.25 mg of ketamine/kg with 0.0625 mg of diazepam/kg, 1 mg of propofol/kg, and 2.5 mg of thiopental/kg. After administration of preanesthetic medications, heart rate (HR), cardiac index, and PaO2 values were significantly lower and mean arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, and PaCO2 values were significantly higher than baseline values for all regimens. After induction of anesthesia, compared with postsedation values, HR was greater for ketamine-diazepam and thiopental regimens, whereas PaCO2 tension was greater and stroke index values were lower for all regimens. After induction, PaO2 values were significantly lower and HR and cardiac index values significantly higher for the ketamine-diazepam regimen, compared with values for the propofol and thiopental regimens.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Medetomidine and hydromorphone caused dramatic hemodynamic alterations, and at the doses used, the 3 induction regimens did not induce important additional cardiovascular alterations. However, administration of supplemental oxygen is recommended.

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of anesthetic induction with thiopental, propofol, or ketamine hydrochloride and diazepam in dogs sedated with medetomidine and hydromorphone.

Animals—6 healthy adult dogs.

Procedures—Dogs received 3 induction regimens in a randomized crossover study. Twenty minutes after sedation with medetomidine (10 μg/kg, IV) and hydromorphone (0.05 mg/kg, IV), anesthesia was induced with ketamine-diazepam, propofol, or thiopental and then maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Measurements were obtained prior to sedation (baseline), 10 minutes after administration of preanesthetic medications, after induction before receiving oxygen, and after the start of isoflurane-oxygen administration.

Results—Doses required for induction were 1.25 mg of ketamine/kg with 0.0625 mg of diazepam/kg, 1 mg of propofol/kg, and 2.5 mg of thiopental/kg. After administration of preanesthetic medications, heart rate (HR), cardiac index, and PaO2 values were significantly lower and mean arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, and PaCO2 values were significantly higher than baseline values for all regimens. After induction of anesthesia, compared with postsedation values, HR was greater for ketamine-diazepam and thiopental regimens, whereas PaCO2 tension was greater and stroke index values were lower for all regimens. After induction, PaO2 values were significantly lower and HR and cardiac index values significantly higher for the ketamine-diazepam regimen, compared with values for the propofol and thiopental regimens.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Medetomidine and hydromorphone caused dramatic hemodynamic alterations, and at the doses used, the 3 induction regimens did not induce important additional cardiovascular alterations. However, administration of supplemental oxygen is recommended.

Contributor Notes

Supported by the Pet-Trust Foundation.

Presented in part at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists, New Orleans, September 2007.

The authors thank Gabrielle Monteith for assistance with data analysis.

Address correspondence to Dr. Enouri.
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