ANESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE

Dogs and cats with cardiac disease are commonly encountered in veterin ary practice and are at increased risk when undergoing general anesthe sia. Among the important considerations during anesthetic management o f patients with cardiovascular abnormalities are selection of a plan f or induction and maintenance of anesthesia, preparation of the surgica l site before induction, preoxygenation of the patient, monitoring of the electrocardiogram, support of ventilation at two to four breaths p er minute, conservative fluid therapy, monitoring of arterial blood pr essure, providing oxygen throughout the recovery period, and providing adequate postoperative analgesia. This article discusses the hemodyna mic changes associated with heart failure, effects of drugs used in th e treatment of patients with cardiac disease, effects of commonly used anesthetics, and perianesthetic management of patients with cardiac d isease.