STABILITY OF CARDIODYNAMIC AND SOME BLOOD PARAMETERS IN THE BABOON FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS ANESTHESIA WITH KETAMINE AND DIAZEPAM

The stability of cardiodynamic and some blood parameters during a slow , continuous infusion of a combination of ketamine and diazepam is rep orted. Contractility (dP/dt), myocardial relaxation (Tln),left ventric ular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP),left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), arterial blood pressure and certain blood parameters were ass essed in 3 male and 3 female juvenile baboons (Papio ursinus). Anaesth esia was induced with 15 mg/kg ketamine IM and maintained with a conti nuous TV infusion (40-60 ml/h) of ketamine and diazepam. The mixture c onsisted of 2 ml ketamine (100 mg/ml), 2 mf diazepam (5 mg/ml) and 50 ml saline. A period of 75 +/- 10 min was allowed for preparation of th e animals, after which lead SI of the EGG, femoral artery blood pressu re and left ventricular pressure were recorded at 15-min intervals fur a period of 2 h: the total duration of anaesthesia was 195 min. Arter ial blood samples were analysed at 30-min intervals for blood gases, e lectrolytes, glucose and insulin. Left ventricular parameters were der ived from the left ventricular pressure curve. Tin, LVSP and LVEDP sho wed small fluctuations. Contractility decreased (p < 0.037) at the 195 -min intel-val. No arthythmias or ECG changes were seen, while blood p ressure decreased gradually. Serum calcium concentration decreased and blood glucose levels increased gradually over time. Anaesthesia and a nalgesia were sufficient and no other drugs were necessary. The animal s appeared sedated and dazed 60-80 min after the procedure. A continuo us infusion of a combination of ketamine and diazepam for a duration o f 150 min can provide stable anaesthesia for cardiodynamic measurement s.