Fentanyl-induced asystole in two dogs

Abstract

Fentanyl is used in small animals for perioperative analgesia during anaesthesia. Severe bradycardia and asystole were observed on bolus administration of a 3μg/kg loading dose of fentanyl in two dogs under isoflurane anaesthesia. Premedication with 10 μg/kg glycopyrrolate did not prevent asystole in the first case; and although bradycardia was treated with 5 μg/kg glycopyrrolate administered intravenously in the second case, the heart rate continuously decreased and asystole subsequently developed. Asystole in both cases was quickly corrected by intravenous administration of 0·04 mg/kg atropine and closed chest compressions. This case report describes asystole induced by fentanyl administration in isoflurane anaesthetised dogs. Atropine was more effective than glycopyrrolate in the treatment of fentanyl-induced asystole.