The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice
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Vet. Clin. North Am. Small Anim. Pract. · Mar 1992
ReviewPrecautions when using alpha-2 agonists as anesthetics or anesthetic adjuvants.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists have some unique properties that could theoretically make them useful in the perianesthetic period: they reduce the MAC of inhaled anesthetics, and they are reversible. They also have properties that may limit their usefulness, such as marked decreases in cardiac output. Their clinical utility awaits further studies.
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At the time of cesarean section, the mother may suffer respiratory depression, hypotension, increased gastric acidity, and increased predisposition to regurgitation, and the newborn may suffer anesthetic-induced respiratory depression. Preanesthetic metaclopramide, cimetidine, and anticholinergic agent are recommended. ⋯ Neuroleptanalgesic and low-dose general anesthetic, with local anesthetic line-blocks, are preferred techniques. Supportive care of the newborn is mandatory.