Isoflurane anaesthetic depth in goats monitored using the bispectral index of the electroencephalogram

The bispectral index (BIS) of the electroencephalogram has recently been used to monitor the depth of anaesthesia in humans. The BIS is a dimensionless number that varies between 0 and 100. We hypothesized that the BIS could also be used to monitor depth of isoflurane anaesthesia in goats. Needle electrodes were placed over the frontal region of the scalp of goats and 5%, isoflurane was administered via a mask. The BIS number was determined at clinically relevant end-points. The BIS number did not change when the animals became recumbent (95 +/- 5 to 94 +/- 7, n = 15), but decreased to 65 +/- 13 and 64 +/- 15 when the corneal reflex and withdrawal response to a noxious stimulus, respectively, were lost (p < 0.001, n = 12). Direct laryngoscopy and intubation increased the BIS (56 +/- 7 to 83 +/- 11; p < 0.05, n = 10), as did a noxious pinch to the dew-claw (57 +/- 9; to 76 +/- 9; p < 0.05, n = 10). The spectral edge (frequency below which 95% of the total power resided) paralleled the change in BIS. We conclude that the depth of isoflurane anaesthesia in goats can be monitored using the BIS, although further work is needed to determine its sensitivity and specificity.