Open AccessInduction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane and isoflurane in the rabbit
Author(s) -
P. A. Flecknell,
J. V. Roughan,
Patricia Hedenqvist
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
laboratory animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1758-1117
pISSN - 0023-6772
DOI - 10.1258/002367799780578516
Subject(s) - sevoflurane , isoflurane , anesthesia , hypercapnia , medicine , hypercarbia , heart rate , pco2 , acidosis , blood pressure
The effects of induction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane and isoflurane were studied in rabbits. All rabbits had periods of apnoea (ranging from 30–180 s) during induction which resulted in moderate hypercapnia and acidosis. Arterial pCO 2 rose from 4.1±0.3 kPa to a peak of 7.6±0.4 kPa (mean±SD) (both agents). All animals showed a significant reduction in heart rate ( P < 0.05). Heart rate (HR) fell from 226±33 to a minimum during induction of 57±32 (sevoflurane) and 199±41 to 45±11 (isoflurane). Most animals struggled violently during induction. Use of sevoflurane did not prevent the breath-holding response seen during induction of anaesthesia with other volatile anaesthetics in this species, and the severe apnoea which occurs may represent a significant hazard. The behaviour of the animals indicated that both sevoflurane and isoflurane are aversive, suggesting that this technique should be avoided whenever possible.