Acid-base status and cardiovascular function in pigs anaesthetized with α-chloralose

Abstract

Respiratory and cardiovascular parameters were examined in 47 pigs anaesthetized with α-chloralose 0.25% (100 mg/kg i.v.). Animals maintained under spontaneous respiration had a stable but subnormal arterial blood pressure. Heart rate was within the normal range. Respiration was depressed, causing elevated pCO2 and respiratory acidosis.
Artificial ventilation with a minute volume of 0.15 1 per kg body weight normalized both cardiovascular and respiratory parameters.
In conclusion α-chloralose can be considered valuable for maintaining anaesthesia in pigs during acute, non-survival experiments demanding minimal cardiovascular and pulmonary disturbance, but only where artificial ventilation is used.