Change of inhalation anesthetic agents for management of ventricular premature depolarizations in anesthetized cats and dogs.

Ventricular premature depolarizations (VPD) were found in 27 cats and 14 dogs during inhalation anesthesia. For animals receiving halothane, the anesthetic agent was changed to enflurane (n = 22) or isoflurane (n = 15). After the change to enflurane, the VPD reverted to normal sinus rhythm (n = 19) or decreased in frequency (n = 3). After the change to isoflurane, the VPD reverted to normal sinus rhythm (n = 14) or decreased in frequency (n = 1). For 4 cats receiving enflurane, the inhalant agent was changed to halothane, which caused an increased frequency of VPD (n = 3) or reversion to normal sinus rhythm (n = 1). It was concluded that cats and dogs with VPD during inhalation anesthesia with halothane would benefit from a change to enflurane or isoflurane.