Induction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane and isoflurane in the rabbit

Abstract

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 +/- 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.

Keywords

sevoflurane; isoflurane; anaesthesia; rabbit

Published in

Laboratory Animals
1999, volume: 33, number: 1, pages: 41-46
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC

SLU Authors

• Hedenqvist, Patricia

  • Karolinska Institute

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1258/002367799780578516

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/115098