Circulatory and respiratory effects of methoxyflurane in dogs: comparison of halothane.

Circulatory and respiratory effects of 3 alveolar concentrations (representing 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 times the minimal alveolar concentration, MAC) of methoxyflurane in O2 were compared with similar MAC multiples of halothane in O2. Eight adult mixed breed dogs that were healthy and nonmedicated were studied in cross-over fashion with both agents during conditions of controlled ventilation (CV; PaCO2 averaged 34 to 38 mm of Hg) and spontaneous ventilation (SV). When ventilation was controlled, methoxyflurane similar to halothane caused dose-related cardiovascular depression. Except for a greater heart rate and lesser stroke volume with methoxyflurane, little difference was noticed between the anesthetics at equivalent doses during CV. There was less dose-related circulatory depression during SV with both agents but particularly with methoxyflurane. During SV, PaCO2 increased progressively with increases in alveolar concentrations of methoxyflurane and halothane. Methoxyflurane caused significantly greater (P less than 0.05) hypoventilation than halothane only at 2.0 MAC. Except for a greater respiratory gas flow and inspiratory-expiratory gas flow ratio and a lesser inspiratory-expiratory time ratio with methoxyflurane, there was no anesthetic- or dose-response effect on respiratory variables.