Cardiovascular Effects of the Alpha(2)-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist Medetomidine in Clinically Normal Cats Anesthetized with Isoflurane
Department
Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1998
Abstract
Objective-To assess the cardiovascular effects of the alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist medetomidine in healthy cats anesthetized with 2% isoflurane.
Animals-11 clinically normal cats.
Procedure-Cats were anesthetized with isoflurane, and catheters were inserted for measurement of aortic, left ventricular, and right atrial pressures. For data collection, end-tidal isoflurane concentration was reduced to 2%, and end-tidal CO2 was maintained at 35 to 40 mm of Hg by use of positive-pressure ventilation. After measurement of baseline data, medetomidine (0.01 mg/kg of body weight, IM) was administered and data were collected continuously for 75 minutes. At the end of data collection, incisions were closed and cats were allowed to recover from anesthesia.
Results-Medetomidine significantly increased mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance. The increase in mean arterial pressure was maximal at 17.8 +/- 7 minutes after medetomidine administration. Medetomidine also increased left ventricular peak systolic pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and right atrial pressure. Medetomidine significantly decreased heart rate and mean aortic flow.
Conclusions-The low dosage of medetomidine (0.01 mg/kg, IM) promoted severe vasoconstriction in isoflurane-anesthetized cats, and resulted in sustained increases in left ventricular preload and afterload.
Journal Title
American Journal of Veterinary Research
Journal ISSN
1943-5681
Volume
59
Issue
4
First Page
509
Last Page
513