The effects of different concentrations of oxygen and nitrous oxide on blood gas parameters in pigs maintained under spontaneous or pressure-controlled ventilation, with or without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), were compared. Forty-eight pigs were randomly divided into six groups, submitted to different concentrations of compressed air or N2O, associated with different fractions of inspired oxygen (FiO2). The group subject to 30% of compressed air (GA30) showed the closest proximity to the physiological range of partial pressure (PaO2) expected for the species. For oxygen saturation (SaO2), the values obtained were below the lower physiological limit in the group administered 30% N2O (GN30). Use of PEEP positively interfered in PaCO2 independent of FiO2, however, its effectiveness can be compromised when complemented by N2O-based anesthesia. For SaO2, only GN30 showed values lower than adequate for maintaining tissue oxygenation. The pH, base deficit and bicarbonate in arterial blood were influenced by FiO2 and N2O. In conclusion, the use of compressed air maintains blood gas parameters at their most stable, especially GA30 and PEEP, which seemed to positively influence the experimental groups, with some interference from FiO2 and N2O.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of epidural bupivacaine administration at the first lumbar vertebra on cardiopulmonary variables, arterial blood gases and anti-nociception. Sixteen healthy female dogs were randomly assigned into two groups based on bupivacaine dose: G1 group, 1mg kg -1 or G2 group, 2mg kg ). Cardiopulmonary variables were measured and arterial blood gas was collected (T0), it was repeated 10 minutes after intravenous administration of butorphanol 0.4mg kg -1 (T1). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous etomidate at 2mg kg -1 and the epidural catheter was introduced and placed at the first lumbar vertebra. Thirty minutes later, bupivacaine was administered epidurally. Cardiopulmonary measurements and arterial blood gas analysis were recorded at 10 minute intervals (T2 to T6). Evaluation of pre surgical anti-nociception was performed at 5 minute intervals for 30 minutes by clamping the hind limbs, anus, vulva, and tail with the dogs awake. Subsequently, ovariohysterectomy was performed and adequacy of surgical anti-nociception was evaluated at 5 time points. Parametric data were analyzed using the F test with a <0.05 significance. After bupivacaine administration, there were differences between groups just for bicarbonate means (HCO 3 -) on T6 (P=0.0198), with 18.7±1.3 and 20.4±0.8 for G1 and G2, respectively. After T1, before bupivacaine administration, both groups presented a slightly lower pH, base excess (BE), the end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PECO 2 ), and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2 ), suggesting mild metabolic acidosis. G2 showed better antinociceptive effect both before and during surgery. It was possible to perform ovariohysterectomy in 87.5% of the G2 bitches and 25% of the G1 bitches. The two doses of bupivacaine evaluated do not cause important alterations in the studied parameters and the dose of 2mg kg -1 results in a better antinociceptive effect.Keywords: bupivacaine, dog, epidural catheter, regional anesthesia RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da administração epidural de bupivacaína à altura da primeira vértebra lombar sobre variáveis cardiopulmonares, hemogasometria arterial e antinocicepção. Dezesseis cadelas foram separadas aleatoriamente em dois grupos que se diferenciaram pela dose de bupivacaína, 1mg/kg (G1) ou 2mg/kg (G2), diluídas no mesmo volume final (1mL/4kg). As variáveis cardiopulmonares e hemogasometria arterial foram coletadas antes (T0) e após 10 minutos da administração intravenosa de 0,4mg/kg de butorfanol (T1). A anestesia foi induzida com 2mg/kg de etomidato intravenoso para introdução do cateter epidural. Após 30 minutos, a bupivacaína foi administrada e, passados 10 minutos, nova coleta de parâmetros foi feita, sendo repetida a cada 10 minutos (T2 a T6

RESUMO Foi comparada a ventilação controlada à pressão com ou sem pressão positiva expiratória final (PEEP), em coelhos, distribuídos em três grupos, denominados GP (grupo ventilação ciclada à pressão), GPP (grupo ventilação ciclada à pressão com PEEP) e GE (grupo ventilação espontânea - grupo controle). Os animais foram anestesiados com isoflurano, em circuito com reinalação de gases, durante duas horas. As médias de pressão arterial média (PAM) e pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) permaneceram discretamente abaixo dos valores normais em todos os grupos. Houve diminuição significativa da PAM e da PAS no grupo submetido à PEEP (GPP) ao longo do tempo. A pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono arterial (PaCO2) foi maior no GPP quando comparado aos outros grupos no último momento, gerando acidemia respiratória após uma hora de procedimento. A concentração de dióxido de carbono ao final da expiração (ETCO2) apresentou médias discretamente elevadas no grupo não tratado com PEEP (GP) e no grupo controle, enquanto o GPP apresentou maiores médias, possivelmente, relacionadas à diminuição do volume corrente neste grupo. Com base nesses resultados, foi possível concluir que a utilização da PEEP levou à acidemia, que se agravou ao longo do tempo anestésico. Ademais, a anestesia prolongada com isoflurano promove depressão cardiorrespiratória, independentemente do modo ventilatório empregado.