The use of Forane anesthesia for surface-induced deep hypothermia

The effects of Forane anesthesia for deep surface hypothermia with 30 minutes of total circulatory occlusion were evaluated. With 100% O2 6 of 7 dogs developed motor disorders postoperatively, while 3 of 5 with 98% O2/2% CO2 and none with 95% O2/5% CO2 developed motor disorders. Cooling was uneventful except for 1 episode of ventricular fibrillation in the 5% CO2 group at 23 degrees C. Resuscitation was easy, but the early rewarming period was characterized by repeated episodes of ventricular fibrillation and delayed recovery of cardiac function, especially in the 100% O2 group. Blood lactate levels remained low during cooling and gradually increased during rewarming in all groups, with the highest levels in the 100% O2 group and the lowest in the 5% CO2 group. It is concluded that Forane can be used for surface hypothermia with 30 minutes' circulatory occlusion when administered in 95% O2/5% CO2. A Comparison of these results with previously reported series indicates that Forane is inferior to ether but may be superior to halothane for surface hypothermia.