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Minimum Alveolar Concentration and Cardiopulmonary Effects of Isoflurane in Ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta)

Sathya K Chinnadurai1, Julie A Balko2, Cathy V Williams3

  • 1Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois;,

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science : JAALAS
|July 21, 2017
PubMed

Insights

The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in ring-tailed lemurs is 1.9%. Isoflurane anesthesia at 1 MAC or greater causes respiratory acidosis and hypoventilation, but does not predictably alter blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Anesthesia
  • Primate Physiology

Background:

  • Isoflurane is a common inhalant anesthetic used in veterinary medicine.
  • Determining anesthetic parameters is crucial for safe and effective use in non-domesticated species like ring-tailed lemurs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta).
  • To evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of isoflurane at various concentrations relative to MAC in this species.

Main Methods:

  • MAC was determined using a tail-clamp stimulus in adult ring-tailed lemurs.
  • Cardiopulmonary parameters were monitored in lemurs anesthetized with isoflurane at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 times MAC.

Main Results:

  • The MAC of isoflurane for ring-tailed lemurs was determined to be 1.9%.
  • Hypotension occurred, but heart rate and blood pressure did not significantly change across MAC multiples.
  • Respiratory acidosis developed at 1 MAC and worsened at 2 MAC, indicating hypoventilation.

Conclusions:

  • Isoflurane anesthesia in ring-tailed lemurs does not predictably depress blood pressure within the 0.5 to 2 MAC range.
  • Hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis are significant effects of isoflurane at 1 MAC and above in this species.

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