An anaesthetic protocol in the young domestic pig allowing neuromuscular blockade for studies of cardiac function following cardioplegic arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract

In specific experimental protocols, the anaesthetic protocol described could allow the use of muscular paralysis in young domestic pigs, for instance when involving hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, cardioplegic arrest and reperfusion.

Left ventricular strain, rotation, and torsion as markers of acute myocardial ischemia

“…Results from eight animals are reported (7 for rotation and torsion). Arterial blood gas analysis throughout the protocol showed stable respiratory conditions with normal values for this pig model (7). This was also the case for end-tidal levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide and for hemoglobin, rectal temperature, and diuresis.…”

“…Anesthesia was induced by loading doses of fentanyl (0.02 mg/kg), pentobarbital sodium (15 mg/kg), midazolam (0.3 mg/kg), and pancuronium (0.063 mg/kg; Organon, Oss, The Netherlands) and was followed by continuous infusions of fentanyl (0.02 mg/kg per h), midazolam (0.3 mg/kg per h), pancuronium (0.20 mg/kg per h), and pentobarbital (4 mg/kg per h). Detailed information about animal handling and anesthetic protocol, including justification for the use of a depolarization agent, can be found elsewhere (7).…”

Multilayer radial systolic strain can identify subendocardial ischemia: An experimental tissue Doppler imaging study of the porcine left ventricular wall

“…After premedication with ketamine/atropine, anesthesia was induced and maintained with loading doses and continuous infusions of fentanyl, midazolam, pancuronium and pentobarbital as previously described in detail. 25,26 The animals undervent tracheotomy and intubation; ventilation was continued with a mixture of N 2 O (56e57%) and oxygen. Fluid substitution was given as 15 mL kg h À1 of Ringer's Acetate with 20 mmol L À1 KCl added.…”

Percutaneous left ventricular assist in ischemic cardiac arrest

“…Anesthesia included the use of neuromuscular blockade as this was deemed relevant in a setting of critical cerebral ischemia; furthermore, this protocol has been evaluated and used in our institution (33) and is considered safe and predictable in hypothermia, which may be relevant for further studies of cardiac arrest.…”

“…Anesthesia was induced by intravenous loading doses of fentanyl 0.02 mg⅐kg Ϫ1 , midazolam 0.3 mg⅐kg Ϫ1 , pancuronium 0.063 mg⅐kg Ϫ1 , and sodium pentobarbital 15 mg⅐kg Ϫ1 and maintained with continuous infusions of fentanyl 0.02 mg⅐kg Ϫ1 ⅐h Ϫ1 , midazolam 0.3 mg⅐kg Ϫ1 ⅐h Ϫ1 , pancuronium 0.14 mg⅐kg Ϫ1 ⅐h Ϫ1 , and pentobarbital 4 mg⅐kg Ϫ1 ⅐h Ϫ1 , thus resulting in a fluid substitution of 15 mL⅐kg Ϫ1 ⅐h Ϫ1 during anesthesia. Details about evaluation and the applicability of this anesthetic protocol can be found elsewhere (33).…”