Research in veterinary science
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of the influence of two different constant-rate infusions (dexmedetomidine versus morphine) on anaesthetic requirements, cardiopulmonary function and recovery quality in isoflurane anaesthetized horses.
Twenty adult healthy horses undergoing elective surgery were involved in this prospective, blinded, clinical study. Horses were randomly allocated to receive a constant rate infusion (CRI) of morphine or dexmedetomidine. After induction, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen/air and mechanical ventilation applied. ⋯ Less ketamine was required, FÉISO was lower after 1h and fewer alterations in the anaesthetic depth were needed in horses receiving dexmedetomidine, with better recoveries. One horse receiving morphine developed post-operative colic and pulmonary oedema and two showed box-walking behaviour. This study showed that a dexmedetomidine CRI produced a more stable anaesthetic depth, reduced isoflurane requirements and better recoveries, without post-operative complications compared with a morphine CRI.