| dc.description.abstract | Objective: To compare the cardiopulmonary effects, side effects and quality of anaesthesia and recovery of two techniques for total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) to be used in cats. Expected results were that the duration of recovery would be significantly shorter in group ALFA.
Animals: Sixteen cats (ten female, six male) weighing 3,6 kilograms +/- 0,9 (mean +/- SD), aged 4,5 years +/- 3.
Methods: The cats were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (DMED) and induced with alfaxalone (ALFA) or propofol (PRO). Maintenance of anaesthesia was provided by continuous rate infusion (CRI) of DMED and ALFA or PRO. Buprenorphine and carprofen were used as post operative analgesics. The cats were given atipamezole (ATI) at the end of the procedure to antagonize the DMED. Heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, end tidal CO2 and blood pressure were measured at predetermined intervals. The differences in cardiopulmonary effects and side effects between the use of ALFA and PRO in a CRI in cats, were studied. The difference in quality of anaesthesia and recovery was evaluated.
Results: The heart rate during maintenance (HRond) and end tidal CO2 (EtCO2) were significantly higher in group ALFA. Respiratory rate during maintenance (RRond) was significantly lower in group ALFA. Duration of recovery was not significantly different between groups. Four cats in group ALFA experienced tremors and cramps during recovery. Three of these cats were also tachycardic.
Conclusion: ALFA may induce tremors and tachycardia, during recovery, when used in a CRI for maintenance of anaesthesia in cats. Therefore PRO is the preferred anaesthetic using this protocol. | |
