The effects of lidocaine and acupuncture in the associated bilateral points, i.e. pericardium 6 (Pc 6- Neiguan) and heart 7 (H7 - Shenmen), on the ventricular tachycardia (VT) induced by dopamine were evaluated in horses anesthetized with halothane. Six horses were distributed in three groups: control group (CG), acupuncture treated group (AG), and lidocaine treated group (LG). They were anesthetized three times each one using halothane with one week interval between each anesthesic procedure. Cardiovascular (heart rate, arterial pressure, and ECG) and respiratory (respiratory rate, capnometry, hemoglobin saturation, and blood gas analysis) parameters and recovery score were evaluated. The arrhythmogenic dose of dopamine (ADD) was determined by the infusion of 70mg/kg/min during 10 minutes without interruption fulfilling the arrhythmogenic criterion by the presence of four or more ectopic ventricular contractions during at least 15 seconds or maintained VT. The mean time for the occurrence of ADD or VT was 6.05 ± 0.45 minutes in no treated animals and the VT reverted spontaneously in 2.7 ± 0.2 minutes. The group treated with acupuncture reverted the VT in a mean time of 1.8 ± 0.2 (P<0.05) compared to the group treated with lidocaine 1.3±0.2 (P<0.01), both of them were efficacious for the treatment of VT.
ventricular tachycardia; halothane; acupuncture
