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Propofol and methohexital have no significant effect on mucus secretion or clearance in the anesthetized dog
G S Padda1, C Kishioka, B K Rubin
1St. Louis University Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Objective:
Anecdotal reports suggest that propofol (Diprivan) may stimulate mucus hypersecretion in patients without pulmonary disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of methohexital or propofol anesthesia on the physical and transport properties of airway mucus in spontaneously breathing dogs.
Design:
Randomized, controlled, crossover laboratory study.
Setting:
University laboratory.
Subjects:
Four healthy, purpose-bred female beagle dogs.
Interventions:
Dogs were anesthetized with 5 mg/kg of propofol by intravenous bolus followed by a maintenance infusion at 0.4 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1) or 4 mg/kg of methohexital followed by an infusion at 0.3 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1). Premedication with 0.05 mg/kg of acepromazine was given, and either atropine (0.2 mg) or saline was given by intravenous bolus at the time of induction. Dogs were intubated but spontaneously breathing throughout the experiment. Tracheal secretions were collected after induction and again after 40 mins.
Measurements And Main Results:
The volume of secretions collected on the endotracheal tube during the 1.5-hr experiment and on a bronchoscopy brush over 10 mins during the experiment was measured. Tracheal epithelial potential difference was measured bronchoscopically by saturated agar bridges, and tracheal mucus transport velocity was determined by timing particle transport. The dynamic viscoelasticity of collected mucus was assessed by microrheometry, and secretion mucociliary transportability was measured in vitro. There were no differences in any physical or transport properties of airway secretions that could be attributed to the anesthetic agent. Secretion volume was significantly lower (p < .05) and epithelial potential difference was significantly higher (p = .03) with atropine premedication. Despite this, there were no differences in tracheal mucus transport velocity, viscoelasticity, or secretion mucociliary transportability with either anesthetic agent or with atropine.
Conclusions:
This study suggests that neither methohexital nor propofol significantly affects mucus secretion or clearance in healthy dogs.
Insights
Neither methohexital nor propofol anesthesia significantly altered airway mucus properties or transport in dogs. Atropine premedication reduced secretion volume and increased potential difference, but did not affect mucus clearance with either anesthetic.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pulmonary Physiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anecdotal evidence suggests propofol may increase mucus secretion.
- Understanding anesthetic effects on airway mucus is crucial for patient care.
- Airway mucus plays a vital role in respiratory health and defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of methohexital and propofol anesthesia on canine airway mucus.
- To evaluate the physical and transport characteristics of mucus under different anesthetic conditions.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, controlled, crossover laboratory study was conducted on four healthy beagle dogs.
- Dogs received either propofol or methohexital anesthesia, with or without atropine premedication.
- Measurements included mucus secretion volume, viscoelasticity, transport velocity, and epithelial potential difference.
Main Results:
- Neither methohexital nor propofol significantly affected mucus physical or transport properties.
- Atropine premedication led to significantly lower secretion volume and higher epithelial potential difference.
- No significant differences in mucus transport velocity, viscoelasticity, or mucociliary transportability were observed with either anesthetic or atropine.
Conclusions:
- Methohexital and propofol anesthesia do not appear to significantly impact mucus secretion or clearance in healthy dogs.
- Atropine's effects on mucus secretion and potential difference were observed, but did not alter overall mucus transport.
- These findings suggest that neither anesthetic agent poses a significant risk for mucus-related complications in this model.
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