Effect of an intraoperative infusion of amino acids on body temperature, serum biochemistry, serum insulin and recovery variables in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy

Abstract

Change in body temperature (BT), serum biochemistry and recovery variables were compared after infusion of amino acids (AA) or lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Dogs received eight parts 10 per cent AA and two parts LRS (AA, n=10) or only LRS (CG, n=10) at 10 ml/kg/hour during 90 minutes of anaesthesia. BT was measured during anaesthesia and 60 minutes of recovery. Extubation time and shivering were noted. Serum samples were obtained before anaesthesia (T0), end of anaesthesia (T90) and 18 hours after (T18h). Friedman, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis or Fisher's exact tests were used for analysis. A decrease in BT of -2.16 (-1.59 to -3.24)°C for group AA and -2.79 (-1.98 to -4.52)°C for group CG was different (P=0.02). Time to extubation was 5 (3-9) minutes for group AA and 9 (5-15) minutes for group CG and was different (P=0.01). Only 30 per cent of dogs in group AA and 100 per cent of dogs in group CG shivered during recovery (P=0.003). Glucose, insulin and blood urea nitrogen at T90 were higher than T0 and T18h for group AA. Dogs receiving intraoperative infusion of AA had a higher BT, extubated sooner and shivered less than control dogs at recovery from anaesthesia.

Perioperative hypothermia: a preventable complication

“…Clark‐Price and others 16 demonstrated that body temperature was better preserved and recovery parameters were improved when compared to the control group. Dogs in the treatment group maintained their body temperature for longer after induction of anaesthesia (60 v 45 min) and a significant rise in temperature was achieved sooner in recovery (40 v 50 min).…”

“…A study by Clark-Price and others, summarised on p 191 of this week's issue of Vet Record, sought to address this by investigating the efect of a perioperative infusion of amino acids on the body temperature of dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. 16 Clark-Price and others 16 demonstrated that body temperature was better preserved and recovery parameters were improved when compared to the control group. Dogs in the treatment group maintained their body temperature for longer ater induction of anaesthesia (60 v 45 min) and a signiicant rise in temperature was achieved sooner in recovery (40 v 50 min).…”

“…Patients that are transported to diferent locations in the hospital or patients with large areas of their bodies included in the surgical ield that cannot be efectively warmed by forced warm air blankets could directly beneit from the protocol described by Clark-Price and others. 16 In conclusion, hypothermia is a common complication from anaesthesia and has a signiicant impact on patient outcomes. External sources of heat can be used to mitigate decreases in body temperature, but in certain patients the use of such devices is not practical.…”

“…However, the specific effects of these infusions in veterinary patients and their clinical application has not been yet established. A study by Clark‐Price and others, summarised on p 191 of this week's issue of Vet Record , sought to address this by investigating the effect of a perioperative infusion of amino acids on the body temperature of dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy 16 …”

“…This resulted in quicker extubation time (five vs nine min) and a dramatic reduction in shivering (three of 10 dogs v 10 of 10 dogs). Clark‐Price and others 16 also report the effects of the amino acids infusion on insulin, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. All the changes were well tolerated and returned to baseline within 18 hours after anaesthesia, except creatinine that remained reduced in both groups, most likely due to increased renal clearance from intravenous fluid administration.…”