A COMPARISON OF PROPOFOL WITH OTHER INJECTABLE ANESTHETICS IN A RAT MODEL FOR MEASURING CARDIOVASCULAR PARAMETERS

Prolonged, stable, non-recovery anaesthesia is required for the assess ment of the effects of novel compounds on the cardiovascular system. A comparison of injectable anaesthetic agents and combinations (thiobar bital, fentanyl-fluanisone and midazolam, propofol, fentanyl-fluanison e and propofol, and alphaxalone/alphadolone) was made in laboratory ra ts and the following parameters assessed over 3 h: blood pressure, hea rt rate and rhythm, respiration rate and depth, analgesia, ease of ind uction and maintenance of anaesthesia. It was found that propofol, wit h fentanyl-fluanisone premedication, provided stress-free induction, e asily controlled anaesthesia, good analgesia and muscle relaxation for surgery, for up to 3 h duration. Heart rate, blood pressure and respi ration remained stable and within normal limits during this time. The other anaesthetics/combinations assessed did not rate as highly in the se respects. Propofol, following fentanyl-fluanisone premedication, wo uld appear to be a useful and safe anaesthetic for use in rodents, whi ch avoids significant effects on heart rate or blood pressure.