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Anaesthetic management and complications of pacemaker implantation in dogs
Author(s) -
SanchisMora S.,
Viscasillas J.,
Mathis A.,
Palacios C.,
Brodbelt D. C.,
Alibhai H. I.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.102246
Subject(s) - medicine , midazolam , anesthesia , etomidate , isoflurane , pethidine , general anaesthesia , sick sinus syndrome , surgery , atrioventricular block , sedation , analgesic , propofol
The aim of this study was to report the anaesthetic management and peri‐anaesthetic complications of 57 dogs undergoing pacemaker implantation at a referral institution over 10 years (2002–2012). The median duration of the procedure was 135 minutes (range 25–260 minutes). Patients were classified as American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) III (42 cases) and ASA IV (15 cases). Forty‐three patients had third‐degree atrioventricular block, and 14 patients had sick sinus syndrome. The anaesthetic protocol most frequently chosen was pethidine (41 cases), etomidate‐midazolam (43 cases) and isoflurane in oxygen for maintenance (57 cases). Transthoracic external pacing was used (43 cases) until the internal pacing lead was implanted. Atracurium was administered (48 cases) and intermittent positive pressure ventilation was applied in 52 cases. Complications observed included hypothermia (19 cases) and hypotension (5 cases). Three patients died (5.8%, 95% CI 1.1% to 14.6%) within the first 48 hours after termination of anaesthesia. The outcome for this procedure in sick animals appeared generally good though a number of complications were documented.