Abstract
The effects of sevoflurane or isoflurane on arterial blood gas, arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation and end-tidal CO2 tension were monitored during induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in 10 premedicated New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits.For induction, the anaesthetic agents were delivered via a face-mask. After induction was completed, an endotracheal tube was introduced for maintenance of anaesthesia for a period of 90 minutes. Changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gas, arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation, blood pH and end-tidal CO2 tension were recorded. Although sevoflurane and isoflurane produce similar cardiopulmonary effects in premedicated rabbits, sevoflurane provides a smoother and faster induction because of its lower blood/gas partition coefficient. Thus sevoflurane is probably a more suitable agent than isoflurane for mask induction and maintenance. Its lower blood solubility also makes sevoflurane more satisfactory than isoflurane for maintenance of anaesthesia because it allows the anaesthetist to change the depth of anaesthesia more rapidly.
Highlights
Sevoflurane is a rapid-acting, inhaled anaesthetic used frequently in human beings and increasingly in animal patients in clinical practice
Times to loss of the palpebral reflex and to successful tracheal intubation were significantly shorter with sevoflurane (126 seconds ±36) than with isoflurane (150 seconds ±31)
The heart rate values during anaesthesia with isoflurane were slightly higher than pre-induction rates, they were still within the physiological reference range
Summary
Sevoflurane is a rapid-acting, inhaled anaesthetic used frequently in human beings and increasingly in animal patients in clinical practice. It has emerged as the most promising agent for inhalation induction in human patients (Smith et al, 1992; Ebert et al, 1998). Due to its low blood solubility (its blood/gas partition coefficient is 0.68), induction and emergence are rapid (Strum and Eger, 1987; Young and Apfelbaum, 1995; Ebert et al, 1998; Flecknell et al, 1999). Sevoflurane has a pleasant, non-pungent odour which permits a smooth and rapid induction by inhalation; it has made mask induction more attractive (Smith et al, 1992; Ebert et al, 1998). Because of the potential problems associated with hypoventilation, it is important to closely monitor the ventilation status of animals during inhalation
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