Jl. Cornickseahorn, ANESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE, The Compendium on continuing education for the practicing veterinarian, 16(9), 1994, pp. 1121
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.