Ketamine-diazepam N₂O combination anesthesia—a new “circulatory-system-sparing” type of anesthetic in experimental surgery

Abstract

For studying the hemodynamics of the greater and lesser circulatory system in animals, the impact of general anesthesia upon cardiovascular functions should be as small, as possible. The marked circulation-depressing effect of halothane, which has so far been given preference for experiments on large animals, was confirmed by the present study of the miniature pig. There was a significant decrease in MAP, cardiac index and dp/dt_max/IP, and an increase in PAP_p. Useful insights into hemodynamics, derived from experiments modeling the heart, lungs or vascular system cannot be gained for a cardiovascular system, the functions of which are greatly altered by such an anesthesia. As a new form of anesthesia with minimal cardiovascular influence, the ketamine-diazepam N₂O combination, which has already been successfully applied in operations on the open human heart, is introduced into experimental surgery.