Effect of halothane anesthesia on end-tidal PCO and pattern of respiration in the rat.

End-tidal Pco2 (petco2) and ventilation of the rat anesthetized with halothane were measured. The Petco2 measured by an infrared analyzer agreed well with the simultaneously measured Paco2 in the range from 20-60mm Hg (2.7-8.0 kPa). When the level of anesthesia was deepened by increasing the halothane concentration from 0.9-3.0%, minute ventilation was decreased progressively accompanied by a rise in Petco2 and the CO2 output was reduced. Halothane induced a progressive decrease in frequency of respiration (f) with almost constant or even slight increase in tidal volume (VT)). Decrease in f was caused largely by the prolongation of expiratory duration (TE). Changes in inspiratory duration (T1) were small and the mean VT/T1 ratio remained unaltered at different levels of anesthesia. These changes in respiratory pattern induced by halothane anesthesia contrasted with the simultaneous decrease in VT, f and VT/T1 ratio and apparent changes of both T1 an TE reported in other species. Species differences in effects of anesthesia on ventilation were discussed. Restraining the rat on a stereotaxic apparatus with head holders, especially with ear bars, elicited an initial transient stimulation of ventilation which was followed by a strong depression.