A comparison of propofol with other injectable anaesthetics in a rat model for measuring cardiovascular parameters

Abstract

Prolonged, stable, non-recovery anaesthesia is required for the assessment of the effects of novel compounds on the cardiovascular system. A comparison of injectable anaesthetic agents and combinations (thiobarbital, fentanyl-fluanisone and midazolam, propofol, fentanyl-fluanisone and propofol, and alphaxalone/alphadolone) was made in laboratory rats and the following parameters assessed over 3 h: blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, respiration rate and depth, analgesia, ease of induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. It was found that propofol, with fentanyl-fluanisone premedication, provided stress-free induction, easily controlled anaesthesia, good analgesia and muscle relaxation for surgery, for up to 3 h duration. Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration remained stable and within normal limits during this time. The other anaesthetics/combinations assessed did not rate as highly in these respects. Propofol, following fentanyl-fluanisone premedication, would appear to be a useful and safe anaesthetic for use in rodents, which avoids significant effects on heart rate or blood pressure.

Multiphasic modification of intrinsic functional connectivity of the rat brain during increasing levels of propofol

“…There were minor alterations in mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral arterial oxygen saturation, and blood gas measurements after each change in propofol dose, but all were within the normal physiological range (Brammer et al, 1993). EEG waveforms, EEG band powers and behavioral scores were analyzed from stress testing experiments in non-paralyzed animals for the potential effects of gradient noise and head restraint at 20 and 40 mg/kg/h propofol doses.…”

Procedure for minimizing stress for fMRI studies in conscious rats

“…Unfortunately, the use of anesthesia limits the full potential of fMRI in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. Not only does anesthesia preclude the study of brain activity associated with emotion and cognition, but use of general anesthetics diminish neuronal metabolism and cerebral blood flow (Sicard et al, 2003;Lahti et al, 1999;Brammer et al, 1993;Fox and Raichle, 1986) affecting BOLD (blood-oxygenationlevel-dependent) signal intensity (Sicard et al, 2003;Lahti et al, 1999;Fox and Raichle, 1986). The conditions faced by human and animal subjects during an imaging session (e.g., enclosed space, restraint, long imaging time, and loud noise), can be challenging.…”

Comparison Of Telemetric And Tail‐Cuff Blood Pressure Monitoring In Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone‐Treated Rats

“…Direct methods have used tethers and indwelling catheters connected to blood pressure measurement devices, but are stressful and give variable results 4 . Anaesthesia minimizes stress, but such measurements do not reflect normal activity 5 . Recently, a reliable method of direct measurement has been introduced to measure blood pressure (BP) in the conscious unstressed animal, using an implantable telemetric probe, receiver and monitoring system.…”