Postganglionic sympathetic nerve activity in halothane-anaesthetized rats during controlled and spontaneous...

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of halothane anaesthesia on sympathetic nerve discharge in mechanically normoventilated and spontaneously breathing rats. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (rSNA), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured in the conscious state and at the inspiratory halothane concentrations of 0.6%, 1.2% and 2.4% in one mechanically normoventilated and one spontaneously breathing group, while a third group was subjected to controlled hypoventilation at 1.2% halothane concentration. Halothane in blood was determined in two separate groups at 1.2%. In an additional group of spontaneously breathing rats, PaCO2 was analysed during consciousness and the halothane concentrations of 1.2% and 2.4%. There was a pronounced decrease in rSNA, MAP and HR at all levels of anaesthesia in the mechanically ventilated rats. However, rSNA, HR and MAP were significantly higher in the spontaneously breathing rats at increasing levels of halothane anaesthesia. Controlled hypoventilation at 1.2% halothane increased the variables significantly. In spontaneously breathing animals, PaCO2 increased significantly during the halothane exposure. The concentration of halothane in blood was significantly higher in the spontaneously breathing rats. Thus, the halothane-induced respiratory depression in the spontaneously breathing rats preserved rSNA during halothane anaesthesia, possibly via CO2-mediated chemoreceptor stimulation.