Positive end-expiratory pressure during colic surgery in horses: 74 cases (1986-1988).

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was applied in 74 anesthetized, ventilated horses during colic surgery, to attempt to increase arterial oxygen tensions. In 28 horses with an initial PaO2 less than 70 mm of Hg, PEEP increased PaO2 values to a mean of 173 +/- 24 mm of Hg. Arterial oxygen content increased from 14.1 +/- 0.05 ml/dl to 17.2 +/- 0.05 ml/dl. In the remaining 46 horses, PEEP increased PaO2 from a mean value of 101 +/- 6 mm of Hg to 194 +/- 15 mm of Hg, and arterial oxygen content increased from 14.9 +/- 0.09 ml/dl to 16.9 +/- 0.07 ml/dl. Cardiovascular depression and decrease in arterial blood pressure was observed after the application of PEEP in 54 horses. These 54 horses required use of pressors (n = 8), inotropes (n = 32), or both (n = 14) to keep the mean arterial blood pressure greater than 60 mm of Hg. Combined with pharmacologic support of blood pressure, PEEP could be a useful clinical treatment of arterial hypoxemia in horses.