The Effects of Dexmedetomidine Continuous Rate Infusion (CRI) on Isoflurane Anaesthesia in Healthy Horses

Abstract

The concept of the modern anaesthesiological technique partial intravenous anaesthesia (PIVA) is by means of infusion of different pharmacological agents as a supplement to inhalation anaesthetics to reduce the concentration of volatile agents maintaining surgical anaesthesia and to decrease their noxious side effects mainly on cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Alpha-2 agonists are agents with frequent use in equine practice either as sedatives or in general anaesthesia PIVA protocols. The most selective amongst them, dexmedetomidine, is characterized by fewer side effects, lower doses, and fast elimination which make it appropriate for application as a continuous rate infusion (CRI). The purpose of this study was to trace out the effects of dexmedetomidine continuous rate infusion (CRI) as part of PIVA using isoflurane on volatile agent requirements, cardiovascular function, respiration and coagulation parameters, and recovery in healthy horses...