Cardiopulmonary effects of rebreathing and nonrebreathing systems during halothane anesthesia in the cat

Cardiopulmonary variables were measured in 3 groups of halothane-oxygen anesthetized cats. The groups, each containing 6 animals, were treated similarly except for maintenance anesthetic systems, and system variation was the basis for comparison. Groups were maintained, using a pediatric circle CO2 absorption system with an O2 flow of 0.5 L/minute, an Ayre's T-piece system with an O2 flow of 3 L/minute, and an adult circle CO2 absorption system with an O2 flow of 0.5 L/minute. Anesthesia was induced by mask, endotracheal intubation was done, and end-expired halothane was maintained at 1.4%. Measurements of cardiopulmonary variables were reported at 30-minute intervals for 135 minutes, the first measurements being made 15 minutes after induction. Control data were similar for all groups. Measured variables were not statistically or clinically different among groups, and change from control within groups was related to halothane anesthesia. The 3 systems produced similar cardiovascular and respiratory effects. Consequently, none of the systems proved superior to the other 2 on the basis of measured variables. Halothane anesthesia produced cardiopulmonary changes comparable to changes reported in other species anesthetized and maintained by similar techniques.