Oxymorphone: cardiovascular, pulmonary, and behavioral effects in dogs

Cardiovascular, pulmonary, and behavioral effects of multiple doses of oxymorphone in 10 nonanesthetized, spontaneously breathing, healthy dogs were studied. Oxymorphone (0.4 mg/kg of body weight) was administered IV, and at 20, 40, and 60 minutes after the first injection was given, 0.2 mg of oxymorphone/kg was administered. Cardiovascular and pulmonary variables were measured before (base line) and at 5, 15, 35, 55, 75, 100, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, and 300 minutes after the first oxymorphone injection. Degree of sedation and behavioral effects also were recorded. Naloxone (0.04 mg/kg, IV) was administered 4.5 hours after the 4th oxymorphone injection, and behavioral changes were recorded. Oxymorphone induced mild respiratory depression. After transient apnea developed, respiratory rate increased to a pant, tidal volume decreased, and minute ventilation increased, but these values were not significantly (P = 0.05) different from base line. The PaCO2, physiologic dead space, and base deficit increased; alveolar tidal volume decreased; and alveolar minute ventilation did not change. The PaO2 decreased, hemoglobin and arterial O2 content increased, and O2 transport did not change. Venous admixture transiently increased. Oxymorphone induced minimal cardiovascular depression. Mean arterial blood pressure, stroke volume, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary wedge pressure increased. Heart rate decreased, systemic vascular resistance transiently increased, and cardiac output transiently decreased. Because the dogs moved spontaneously, responded to sound with sudden, vigorous movements, and breathed with excessive effort, oxymorphone alone was considered inadequate as a general anesthetic.