Cardiopulmonary effects of desflurane in the dog during spontaneous and artificial ventilation

The cardiopulmonary effects of desflurane at end tidal concentrations of 10.3, 12.9 and 15.5 per cent during either spontaneous or artificial ventilation were studied in five beagle dogs. Desflurane anaesthesia resulted in tachycardia and a decrease in arterial blood pressure which were not significantly related to the end tidal desflurane concentrations or the mode of ventilation. At an end tidal desflurane concentration of 15.5 per cent there was a significant increase in central venous and pulmonary arterial wedge pressures and, with artificial ventilation, a reduction in cardiac output and stroke volume when compared with similar measurements at an end tidal desflurane concentration of 10.3 per cent. When allowed to breathe spontaneously, the dogs panted at times when they were lightly anaesthetised, but their respiration was depressed to a varying extent at the highest end tidal desflurane concentration. The induction of anaesthesia with desflurane was smooth, and the quality of anaesthesia during maintenance was excellent. There was one episode of a transient tachyarrhythmia associated with the measurement of cardiac output, but no other side effects were observed.