Determination of the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in Holstein steers

ObjectiveTo determine the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in Holstein steers using electric stimulation.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsA total of 15 Holstein steers aged 7.3 ± 1.2 months and weighing 121 ± 25 kg.MethodsAnimals were anesthetized with sevoflurane at 8% in oxygen at 5 L minute^–1 via facemask and were intubated with an orotracheal tube of a compatible size. After 15 minutes of stabilization of the initial expired concentration of sevoflurane (Fe′Sevo) at 2.6%, electrical stimulation on the thoracic limb was initiated with a sequence of 2 × 10 ms followed by 2 × 3 second electrical currents of 50 V and 50 Hz, 5 seconds apart. Following each stimulus with a negative response, the Fe′Sevo was decreased by 0.2% and a 15 minute interval was awaited before the next stimulus. The procedure was repeated until the first Fe′Sevo value with a positive motor response was obtained. The Fe′Sevo was then increased by 0.1%, followed by a new stimulus, until a negative response was obtained. The value of MAC was calculated as the arithmetic mean between the lowest Fe′Sevo associated with a negative motor response and the highest Fe′Sevo associated with a positive response.ResultsThe mean MAC for the 15 steers was 2.0 ± 0.3%, which corresponds to 2.1 ± 0.3% at sea level.ConclusionsBased on the proposed methodology, the MAC of sevoflurane for healthy Holstein steers is 2.1 ± 0.3% at sea level.Clinical relevanceThis Fe′Sevo value can be used to guide depth of anesthesia in steers weighing approximately 120 kg in clinical practice.