Cardiopulmonary effects of propofol infusion in llamas

To evaluate selected cardiopulmonary responses to propofol 2 infusion rates in nonpretreated llamas breathing room air.

5 adult llamas (3 males, 2 females) with mean +/- SD body weight of 135 +/- 17.7 kg.

After anesthesia induction with propofol (2 mg/kg of body weight, IV), llamas received either propofol infusion 0.2 mg/kg/min (group 1) or 0.4 mg/kg/min (group 2) for 60 minutes. Measurements, taken before anesthesia induction and at regular intervals during infusion were: direct blood pressures, heart and respiratory rates, cardiac output, and arterial blood gas tensions. Systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac and stroke indices, and plasma bicarbonate and base excess concentrations were calculated.

At 3 to 60 minutes after either dosage of propofol, PaCO2 and heart rate increased in all llamas; at the same time, PaO2 and arterial pH decreased. Mean pulmonary artery and central venous pressures, and stroke index decreased at 3 to 60 minutes after either dosage of propofol. Mean arterial pressure decreased at 30 to 60 minutes after infusion of 0.4 mg of propofol/kg/min; pulmonary arterial wedge pressure decreased at 20 to 40 minutes and 3 to 60 minutes after infusion of 0.2 and 0.4 mg of propofol/kg/min, respectively. Mean time from termination of infusion to sternal recumbency was 7 (group 1) and 13 (group 2) minutes. Standing was achieved in a mean 11 (group 1) and 22 (group 2) minutes.

Propofol infusion rate of 0.2 mg/kg/min was considered too low to maintain a suitable depth of anesthesia, but 0.4 mg/kg/min was considered sufficient for noninvasive procedures with minimal cardiopulmonary depression.