Effects of short-acting anaesthetics on haemodynamic function as determined by Doppler ultrasonography in rabbits

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of short-acting anaesthetics on haemodynamic function determined by Doppler ultrasonography. Prior to anaesthesia, Doppler parameters [peak systolic blood flow velocity (psBFV), end-diastolic blood flow velocity (edBFV), minimum diastolic blood flow velocity (mdBFV) and resistive index (RI)] were obtained from the right common carotid artery (CCA), abdominal aorta (AA) and right kidney in New Zealand rabbits (n=24). Animals were then divided into 3 groups to be anaesthetized with propofol (Group P), 2.5% thiopental sodium (Group T) and xylazine/ketamine HCl (Group XK). During anaesthesia the same Doppler measurements were made. Compared with baseline values, psBFV obtained from CCA increased in Group P (P<0.02) and insignificantly changed in Groups T and XK. psBFV measured from AA in Groups T and XK decreased as compared with baseline values. In the right kidney, psBFV in Group P and edBFV in Group T increased, whereas RI value in Groups T and XK decreased. In conclusion, comparing baseline values, propofol anaesthesia did not significantly alter RI measured from CCA and kidney and blood flow velocities measured from AA. The data suggest that propofol anaesthesia in rabbits results in minimal changes in Doppler parameters.