Changes in bispectral index score and cardiorespiratory function under constant rate infusion with alfaxalone in dogs

Changes in the cardiovascular and bispectral index score were evaluated in dogs subjected to constant rate infusion (CRI) with alfaxalone. Fifteen dogs were assigned to three groups of 5. Groups and doses of alfaxalone were as follows: group 1, 3 mg/kg for induction and 6 mg/kg/h for CRI; group 2, 3 mg/kg for induction and 8 mg/kg/h for CRI; and group 3, 3 mg/kg for induction and 10 mg/kg/h for CRI. CRI was maintained for 1 h. Respiratory rates and blood pressures showed minimal changes; however, mild tachycardia and mild hypoxemia occurred, especially in group 3. There were some disparities between bispectral index score, electromyography and pedal withdrawal reflex test when measuring anesthetic depth. Additional premedications and/or analgesic agents would be helpful to avoid adverse effects of alfaxalone and provide improved cardiopulmonary functions.

Effects of alfaxalone on echocardiographic examination in healthy dogs / 대한수의학회지

This study evaluated the effects of alfaxalone (3 mg/kg, intravenously) on echocardiographic examination in healthy dogs using echocardiography. Six adult Beagle dogs were used for this study. Left ventricular dimensions with systolic indexes, trans-blood flow at all cardiac valvular annulus and trans-mitral tissue Doppler values were measured from routine transthoracic echocardiography. Although the changes were not statistically significant, heart rate, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, peak velocities of tricuspid A-wave and transpulmonic flow were increased after alfaxalone induction, while systolic blood pressure, fractional shortening, left ventricular ejection fraction, peak velocities of mitral E-wave, mitral A wave, tricuspid E-wave, transaortic flow and medial e'-, a'- and s'-peaks decreased after alfaxalone induction. No dogs showed hypoxemia during sedation, regardless of intubation and oxygen supply. Although alfaxalone showed mild cardiovascular depression, this protocol could be a good alternative sedative protocol for echocardiographic examination in healthy dogs because the cardiovascular depression was statistically and clinically insignificant. However, further studies in dogs with heart diseases should be conducted to confirm these findings after alfaxalone induction.