Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects of Increased Intra-Abdominal Pressure with and without Dexmedetomidine in Anesthetized Dogs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Laparoscopic procedures have been gaining popularity in veterinary medicine. However, there are no studies evaluating the safety of using dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant during laparoscopy in the veterinary literature. High intra-abdominal pressure and dexmedetomidine might have deleterious cardiorespiratory effects; therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intra-abdominal pressure and dexmedetomidine on cardiorespiratory variables in healthy dogs. Five healthy beagle dogs were enrolled in the study, which was conducted with a crossover design. Cardiovascular and respiratory variables were monitored at different intra-abdominal pressures through inducing capnopertioneum. After a washout period, the same protocols were applied with dexmedetomidine administration. Our study revealed that no significant cardiorespiratory effects were observed until intra-abdominal pressure reached 20 mmHg, as well as during the administration of dexmedetomidine. These findings have shown that the administration of a dexmedetomidine infusion may be applicable in laparoscopic procedures in healthy dogs. ABSTRACT: Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) elevation during capnoperitoneum can cause adverse cardiovascular and respiratory effects. This study aimed to determine if a sequentially increased IAP affects cardiovascular and respiratory variables in anesthetized dogs and evaluate the effects of the constant-rate infusion of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on cardiovascular and respiratory variables with increased IAP. Five dogs were anesthetized and instrumented, and a Veress needle was equipped to adjust the IAP using a carbon dioxide insufflator. Stabilization was conducted for 1 h, and physiological variables were measured at IAPs of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mmHg and after desufflation. After the washout period, the dogs underwent similar procedures along with a constant-rate infusion of dexmedetomidine. The cardiovascular effects of increased IAP up to 20 mmHg were not significant in healthy beagle dogs and those administered with dexmedetomidine. When comparing the control and dexmedetomidine groups, the overall significant effects of dexmedetomidine were noted on heart rate, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance during the experiment. Respiratory effects were not observed during abdominal insufflation when compared between different IAPs and between the two groups. Overall, an increased IAP of up to 20 mmHg did not significantly affect cardiovascular and respiratory variables in both the control and dexmedetomidine groups. This study suggests that the administration of a dexmedetomidine infusion is applicable in laparoscopic procedures in healthy dogs.