Anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of a constant rate infusion of fentanyl in isoflurane-anaesthetized sheep

Objective: To determine the anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of a constant rate infusion of fentanyl in sheep anaesthetized with isoflurane and undergoing orthopaedic surgery.

Study design: Prospective, randomised, 'blinded' controlled study.

Animals: Twenty healthy sheep (weight mean 41.1 ± SD 4.5 kg).

Methods: Sheep were sedated with intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine (4 μg kg(-1) ) and morphine (0.2 mg kg(-1) ). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol (1 mg kg(-1) minute(-1) to effect IV) and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of fentanyl 10 μg kg(-1) hour(-1) (group F) or saline (group P) for 100 minutes. The anaesthetic induction dose of propofol, isoflurane expiratory fraction (Fe'iso) required for maintenance and cardiorespiratory measurements were recorded and blood gases analyzed at predetermined intervals. The quality of recovery was assessed. Results were compared between groups using t-tests or Mann-Whitney as relevant.

Results: The propofol induction dose was 4.7 ± 2.4 mg kg(-1) . Fe'iso was significantly lower (by 22.6%) in group F sheep than group P (p = 0). Cardiac index (mean ± SD mL kg(-1) minute(-1) ) was significantly (p = 0.012) lower in group F (90 ± 15) than group P (102 ± 35). Other measured cardiorespiratory parameters did not differ statistically significantly between groups. Recovery times and recovery quality were statistically similar in both groups.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Fentanyl reduced isoflurane requirements without clinically affecting the cardiorespiratory stability or post-operative recovery in anaesthetized sheep undergoing orthopaedic surgery.