The effects of spontaneous (SV) and controlled ventilation (CV) were compared in horses undergoing changes in body position during anesthesia. Sixteen animals were equally distributed in two groups: SV and CV. All surgical procedures were commenced on left lateral recumbency (LLR) and 75 minutes later the animals were repositioned on right lateral recumbency (RLR). Arterial blood gas analyses were performed at 30 and 75 minutes after each recumbency (M1 and M2 for LLR and M3 and M4 for RLR). Hypercapnia (PaCO2 >45mmHg), respiratory acidosis (pH <7.35), and significant decrease in PaO2 after 75min of change in body position (M4: 205.8±124.7mmHg) in comparison to PaO2 values before the change of position (M1: 271.8±84.8mmHg) were observed during SV. When compared to the SV group, CV resulted in significantly higher PaO2 levels (52 to 96% increase). It was concluded that the change in the body position in spontaneously ventilating halothane-anesthetized horses causes impairment in arterial oxygenation. The use of CV since the beginning of anesthesia prevents the respiratory acidosis and maintains arterial oxygen levels that are closer to values expected during the use of 100% O2.
horse; inhalation anesthesia; recumbency; controlled ventilation; spontaneous ventilation
