Anesthetic Management
Drug selection and dose
Opioids, etomidate, diazepam, and ketamine are all drugs that are frequently used in patients that are expected to experience
hypotension.
Summary
Untreated hypotension can lead to morbidity and mortality in anesthetized small animal patients.
Objective monitoring is the only way to reliably detect hypotension.
Blood pressure monitors are NOT always accurate.
Anesthetic management, fluid therapy, inotropes, and vasopressors may all be used to treat hypotension.
Vasocontriction alone may increase blood pressure, but may result in decreased blood flow.
References/Suggested Reading
Wagner AE, Brodbelt DC. Arterial blood pressure monitoring in anesthetized small animals. Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association. 210:1279-1285, 1997.
McGhee BH, Bridges EJ. Monitoring Arterial Blood Pressure: What you may not know. Crit Care Nurse 11: 60-79, 2002
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