The effect of ketamine on the MACBAR of sevoflurane in dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of intravenous ketamine on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane needed to block autonomic response (MAC(BAR)) to a noxious stimulus in dogs.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized, crossover, prospective design.

ANIMALS

Eight, healthy, adult male, mixed-breed dogs, weighing 11.2-16.1 kg.

METHODS

Dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane on two occasions, 1 week apart, and baseline MAC(BAR) (B-MAC(BAR)) was determined on each occasion. MAC(BAR) was defined as the mean of the end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations that prevented and allowed an increase (≥15%) in heart rate or invasive mean arterial pressure in response to a noxious electrical stimulus (50 V, 50 Hz, 10 ms). Dogs then randomly received either a low-dose (LDS) or high-dose series (HDS) of ketamine, and treatment MAC(BAR) (T-MAC(BAR)) was determined. The LDS had an initial loading dose (LD) of 0.5 mg kg(-1) and constant rate infusion (CRI) at 6.25 μg kg(-1) minute(-1), followed, after T-MAC(BAR) determination, by a second LD (1 mg kg(-1)) and CRI (12.5 μg kg(-1) minute(-1)). The HDS had an initial LD (2 mg kg(-1)) and CRI (25 μg kg(-1) minute(-1)) followed by a second LD (3 mg kg(-1)) and CRI (50 μg kg(-1) minute(-1)). Data were analyzed with a mixed-model anova and are presented as LSM ± SEM.

RESULTS

The B-MAC(BAR) was not significantly different between treatments. Ketamine at 12.5, 25, and 50 μg kg(-1) minute(-1) decreased sevoflurane MAC(BAR), and the maximal decrease (22%) occurred at 12.5 μg kg(-1) minute(-1). The percentage change in MAC(BAR) was not correlated with either the log plasma ketamine or norketamine concentration.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Ketamine at clinically relevant doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 μg kg(-1) minute(-1) decreased sevoflurane MAC(BAR), although the reduction was neither dose-dependent nor linear.