Effect of ephedrine and phenylephrine on cardiopulmonary parameters in horses undergoing elective surgery

ObjectiveTo assess the cardiopulmonary effects of ephedrine and phenylephrine for management of isoflurane‐induced hypotension in horses.Study designProspective randomized clinical study.AnimalsFourteen isoflurane‐anesthetized horses undergoing digital palmar neurectomy.MethodsEphedrine (EPH group; 0.02 mg kg^?1 minute^?1; n = 7) or phenylephrine (PHE group; 0.002 mg kg^?1 minute^?1; n = 7) was administered to all horses when mean arterial pressure (MAP) was <60 mmHg. The infusions were ended when the target MAP was achieved, corresponding to a 50% increase over the pre‐infusion MAP (baseline). The horses were instrumented with an arterial catheter to measure blood pressure and allow the collection of blood for pH and blood‐gas analysis and a Swan‐Ganz catheter for measurement of cardiac output using thermodilution. Cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded at baseline and at 5, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after achieving the target MAP.ResultsIn both groups, the MAP and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increased significantly at 5, 30, 60 and 90 minutes post infusion compared to baseline (p < 0.05). The EPH group had a significant increase in cardiac index (CI) and systemic oxygen delivery index at 5, 30, 60 and 90 minutes post infusion compared to baseline (p < 0.05) and compared to the PHE group (p < 0.05). The PHE group had significantly higher SVR and no decrease in oxygen extraction compared with the EPH group at 30, 60 and 90 minutes post infusion (p < 0.05). No significant differences in ventilatory parameters were observed between groups after the infusion.ConclusionsEphedrine increased the MAP by increasing CI and SVR. Phenylephrine increased MAP by increasing SVR but cardiac index decreased. Ephedrine resulted in better tissue oxygenation than phenylephrine.Clinical relevanceEphedrine would be preferable to phenylephrine to treat isoflurane‐induced hypotension in horses since it increases blood flow and pressure.