Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the effects of detomidine or romifidine on cardiovascular function, isoflurane
requirements and recovery quality in horses undergoing isoflurane anaesthesia.
Study design
Prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical study.
Animals
A total of 63 healthy horses undergoing elective surgery during general anaesthesia.
Methods
Horses were randomly allocated to three groups of 21 animals each. In group R, horses
were given romifidine intravenously (IV) for premedication (80 μg kg–1), maintenance (40 μg kg–1 hour–1) and before recovery (20 μg kg–1). In group D2.5, horses were given detomidine IV for premedication (15 μg kg–1), maintenance (5 μg kg–1 hour–1) and before recovery (2.5 μg kg–1). In group D5, horses were given the same doses of detomidine IV for premedication
and maintenance but 5 μg kg–1 prior to recovery. Premedication was combined with morphine IV (0.1 mg kg–1) in all groups. Cardiovascular and blood gas variables, expired fraction of isoflurane
(Fe′Iso), dobutamine or ketamine requirements, recovery times, recovery events scores
(from sternal to standing position) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were compared
between groups using either anova followed by Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis followed by Bonferroni or chi-square tests, as
appropriate (p < 0.05).
Results
No significant differences were observed between groups for Fe′Iso, dobutamine or ketamine requirements and recovery times. Cardiovascular and blood
gas measurements remained within physiological ranges for all groups. Group D5 horses
had significantly worse scores for balance and coordination (p = 0.002), overall impression (p = 0.021) and final score (p = 0.008) than group R horses and significantly worse mean scores for VAS than the
other groups (p = 0.002).
Conclusions and clinical relevance
Detomidine or romifidine constant rate infusion provided similar conditions for maintenance
of anaesthesia. Higher doses of detomidine at the end of anaesthesia might decrease
the recovery quality.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 18, 2022
Accepted:
July 12,
2022
Received in revised form:
March 23,
2022
Received:
June 9,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
