Evaluation of Electrical Cardiometry for Measuring Cardiac Output and Derived Hemodynamic Variables in Comparison with Lithium Dilution in Anesthetized Dogs.

Numerous cardiac output (CO) technologies were developed to replace the 'gold standard' pulmonary artery thermodilution due to its invasiveness and the risks associated with it. Minimally invasive lithium dilution (LiD) shows excellent agreement with thermodilution and can be used as a reference standard in animals. This study evaluated CO via noninvasive electrical cardiometry (EC) and acquired hemodynamic variables against CO measured using LiD in six healthy, anesthetized dogs administered different treatments (dobutamine, esmolol, phenylephrine, and high-dose isoflurane) impacting CO values.

Transpulmonary ultrasound dilution is an acceptable technique for cardiac output measurement in anesthetized pigs.

Objective: To evaluate cardiac output (CO) measurements using transpulmonary ultrasound (TPUD) technology and compare results with those of the gold standard, pulmonary arterial catheter thermodilution (PACTD), in 6 healthy anesthetized pigs during acute hemodynamic changes caused by manipulation of the blood volume.

Animals: 6 healthy male Landrace pigs.

Procedures: Over a period of 1 week, pigs were anesthetized with isoflurane, mechanically ventilated, and underwent instrumentation in dorsal recumbency.

The effect of erector spinae plane block on perioperative analgesic consumption and complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare the perioperative use of analgesics and complication rates in dogs administered an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or a traditional opioid-based (OP) treatment as part of analgesic management during hemilaminectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Animals: Medical records of 114 client-owned dogs.

Feasibility and efficacy of ultrasonographic and laparoscopic guidance for microwave ablation of clinically normal canine ovaries.

Objective: To determine the optimal energy profile for and to assess the feasibility and efficacy of ultrasonographic and laparoscopic guidance for microwave ablation (MWA) of clinically normal canine ovaries.

Sample: 44 extirpated ovaries from 22 healthy dogs.

Procedures: In the first of 2 trials, 13 dogs underwent oophorectomy by routine laparotomy.

Comparison of intestinal leak pressure between cadaveric canine and commercial synthetic intestinal tissue that did and did not undergo enterotomy.

Objective: To compare initial leak pressure (ILP) between cadaveric canine and synthetic small intestinal segments that did and did not undergo enterotomy.

Sample: Eight 8-cm grossly normal jejunal segments from 1 canine cadaver and eight 8-cm synthetic small intestinal segments.

Procedures: Intestinal segments were randomly assigned to undergo enterotomy (6 cadaveric and 6 synthetic segments) or serve as untreated controls (2 cadaveric and 2 synthetic segments).

Initial leak pressures of four anastomosis techniques in cooled cadaveric canine jejunum.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of four different intestinal anastomosis techniques at preventing leakage after enterectomy.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Sample Population: Grossly normal jejunal segments (N = 70) from three fresh canine cadavers.

Description of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block technique and evaluation of injectate spread in canine cadavers.

Objective: To describe a quadratus lumborum (QL) block technique in canine cadavers and the spread of injectate.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, descriptive, experimental anatomic study.

Animals: A group of 12 adult canine cadavers.

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in canine cadavers: relevant anatomy and injectate distribution.

Objective: To investigate the distribution and nerve staining of two volumes of lidocaine-dye solution after ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) injections in canine cadavers.

Study Design: Experimental cadaveric study.

Animals: A total of nine canine cadavers.

Use of a modified passive leg-raising maneuver to predict fluid responsiveness during experimental induction and correction of hypovolemia in healthy isoflurane-anesthetized pigs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of a modified passive leg-raising maneuver (PLRM) to predict fluid responsiveness during experimental induction and correction of hypovolemia in isoflurane-anesthetized pigs. ANIMALS 6 healthy male Landrace pigs. PROCEDURES Pigs were anesthetized with isoflurane, positioned in dorsal recumbency, and instrumented.

Effects of a single intravenous bolus injection of alfaxalone on canine splenic volume as determined by computed tomography.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single intravenous dose of alfaxalone on canine splenic volume. In 6 adult beagle dogs the splenic volume [mean ± standard error (SE)] was determined by computed tomography to be 0.17 ± 0.

Ultrasonographical identification of the superficial circumflex iliac artery as a landmark for location of the femoral nerve in dogs.

Objective: To investigate the utility of identifying the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) via ultrasound as an anatomical landmark for ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block.

Study Design: Observational study.

Animals: A group of six canine cadavers weighing >20 kg.

Evaluation of the potential efficacy of an ultrasound-guided adductor canal block technique in dog cadavers.

Objective: To evaluate an ultrasound-guided technique for adductor canal (AC) block by describing the distribution of methylene blue around the AC, popliteal fossa, saphenous, tibial and common fibular nerves in dog cadavers.

Study Design: Prospective experimental trial.

Animals: Ten mixed breed canine cadavers weighing 28.

Comparison of cardiac output measured by use of computed tomography and thermodilution in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To compare cardiac output (CO) measured by use of CT coronary angiography and thermodilution (criterion-referenced standard) at various CO values, record adverse effects, and determine the time needed to measure CO. ANIMALS 5 healthy purpose-bred Beagles (2 males and 3 females). PROCEDURES A prospective nonrandomized crossover study was conducted.

Diagnostic usefulness of laparoscopy versus exploratory laparotomy for dogs with suspected gastrointestinal obstruction.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopy versus exploratory laparotomy for the diagnosis of specific lesions in dogs with suspected gastrointestinal obstruction. DESIGN Controlled trial. ANIMALS 16 client-owned dogs with physical and radiographic findings consistent with gastrointestinal obstruction.

Measurement of intraocular pressure in healthy anesthetized horses during hoisting.

Objective: To measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in horses during hoisting after induction of anesthesia.

Study Design: Prospective nonrandomized clinical study.

Animals: Eighteen healthy adult horses aged [mean±standard deviation (SD)] 10±4.

Cardiac arrest in an American Cocker Spaniel during a deep ear flush procedure.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 14-year-old spayed female American Cocker Spaniel with bilateral otitis media and no evidence of cardiovascular instability was anesthetized to allow performance of a deep ear flush. CLINICAL FINDINGS Otoscopic examination of the left ear revealed evidence of chronic inflammation; the ear was flushed with sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution.

Temporary percutaneous T-fastener gastropexy and continuous decompressive gastrostomy in dogs with experimentally induced gastric dilatation.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate a percutaneous, continuous gastric decompression technique for dogs involving a temporary T-fastener gastropexy and self-retaining decompression catheter. ANIMALS 6 healthy male large-breed dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs were anesthetized and positioned in dorsal recumbency with slight left-lateral obliquity.

Evaluation of epiduroscopy for detection of vertebral canal and spinal cord lesions in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential usefulness of epiduroscopy for clinical diagnosis and treatment of vertebral canal and spinal cord lesions in dogs. SAMPLE Cadavers of 6 mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs were positioned in sternal recumbency, and an endoscope was introduced into the lumbosacral epidural space.

Use of a perfusion index to confirm the presence of sciatic nerve blockade in dogs.

Objectives: To evaluate perfusion index (PI) as a determinant of regional nerve block success following sciatic nerve blockade with bupivacaine in dogs undergoing stifle surgery.

Study Design: Prospective clinical trial.

Animals: Ten adult dogs, aged 5.

Evaluation of surgical outcome, complications, and mortality in dogs undergoing preoperative computed tomography angiography for diagnosis of an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt: 124 cases (2005-2014).

This study evaluated the safety of preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) and its effect on surgical time and clinical outcomes in dogs that underwent surgical correction of a single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (CEPSS). Patient data were retrospectively collected from medical records and owner communications for 124 dogs with single CEPSS, undergoing preoperative CTA (n = 43) or not (n = 81) which were surgically treated from 2005 to 2014. The frequency of major postoperative complications was 4.

Involvement of bone marrow cells and neuroinflammation in hypertension.

Rationale: Microglial activation in autonomic brain regions is a hallmark of neuroinflammation in neurogenic hypertension. Despite evidence that an impaired sympathetic nerve activity supplying the bone marrow (BM) increases inflammatory cells and decreases angiogenic cells, little is known about the reciprocal impact of BM-derived inflammatory cells on neuroinflammation in hypertension.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that proinflammatory BM cells from hypertensive animals contribute to neuroinflammation and hypertension via a brain-BM interaction.

Comparison of cardiac output determined by an ultrasound velocity dilution cardiac output method and by the lithium dilution cardiac output method in juvenile horses with experimentally induced hypovolemia.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of an ultrasound velocity dilution cardiac output (UDCO) method, compared with that of the lithium dilution cardiac output (LiDCO) method, for determination of cardiac output (CO) in juvenile horses with experimentally induced hypovolemia.

Animals: 12 anesthetized 2- to 6-month-old horses.

Procedures: For each anesthetized horse, CO was determined by the LiDCO and UDCO methods prior to any intervention (baseline state), after withdrawal of approximately 40% of the horse's blood volume (low CO state), after maintenance of hypovolemia and infusion of norepinephrine until mean arterial blood pressure was equal to baseline value (high CO state), and after further infusion of norepinephrine and back-transfusion of withdrawn blood (posttransfusion state).

Utility of transesophageal electrocardiography to guide optimal placement of a transesophageal pacing catheter in dogs.

Objective: To determine if the transesophageal atrial (A) wave amplitude or ventricular (V) wave amplitude can be used to guide optimal positioning of a transesophageal pacing catheter in dogs.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: Fourteen client owned healthy dogs with a median weight of 15.

Anesthesia and analgesia for standing equine surgery.

Morbidity and mortality rate in equine anesthesia is still unacceptably high. Thus it is critical contemplating whether the benefit of general anesthesia for a specific patient and procedure outweighs the risks. Sedative protocols that would allow performing diagnostic and surgical procedures with the patient remaining standing would therefore be ideal.