Effect of dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion on the bispectral index during alfaxalone anaesthesia in dogs

Abstract

Objective. To assess the effect of two rates of infusion of dexmedetomidine on the bispectral index (BIS) in dogs anaesthetized with alfaxalone constant rate infusion (CRI). Study design. Prospective, randomized, ‘blinded’ experimental study. Animals. Six healthy Beagles (three females and three males). Methods. Dogs received as premedication saline (group D0), 1 μg kg−1 (group D1) or 2 μg kg−1 (group D2) dexmedetomidine, intravenously (IV). Anaesthesia was induced with alfaxalone (6 mg kg−1 to effect IV) and maintained with alfaxalone at 0.07 mg kg−1 minute−1 and a CRI of saline (D0) or dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg kg−1 hour−1 (D1) or 1 μg kg−1 hour−1 (D2) for 90 minutes. BIS, electromyography (EMG), signal quality index (SQI) and suppression ratio (SR) were measured at 10 minute intervals and the median values were calculated. Nociceptive stimuli were applied every 30 minutes and BIS and cardiorespiratory values were compared before and after stimuli. Cardiorespiratory parameters were recorded throughout the study. Results. BIS and EMG values differed significantly among groups, being lower in D2 (71 ± 8) than in D0 (85 ± 10) and D1 (84 ± 9). SQI was always over 90% and SR was zero throughout all the treatments. There were no significant differences between pre- and post-stimulus values of BIS, EMG and SQI for any treatment, although in D0 and D1, heart rate, respiratory rate and arterial pressures increased significantly after the nociceptive stimulus. Conclusions and clinical relevance. Administration of dexmedetomidine (2 μg kg−1 + CRI 1 μg kg−1 hour−1) decreases the BIS values and avoids the autonomic responses of a nociceptive stimulus during alfaxalone anaesthesia at 0.07 mg kg−1 minute−1 in dogs. However, further studies are needed to verify whether this combination produces an adequate degree of hypnosis under surgical situations.