Changes in Arterial Blood Pressure and Oxygen Tension as a Result of Hoisting in Isoflurane Anesthetized Healthy Adult Horses.
Authors: Cerullo Michelle, Driessen Bernd, Douglas Hope, Hopster Klaus
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Hoisting anaesthetised horses—a routine procedure during recovery from isoflurane anaesthesia—causes significant, measurable changes in cardiovascular stability and blood oxygen levels that have not previously been quantified. Researchers anaesthetised six adult horses three times, allowed them to breathe spontaneously in lateral recumbency, then hoisted them for 5 minutes using a single-hobble system whilst recording heart rate, blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean), respiratory rate, and arterial blood gases before, during, and immediately after hoisting. Mean arterial pressure dropped sharply from 74 mmHg to 57 mmHg within the first minute of hoisting, though it recovered quickly; more concerning was the significant fall in arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂) from 324.9 mmHg to 141.3 mmHg during hoisting, which failed to recover to baseline values even after recovery. Heart rate increased by 6–9 beats per minute during the initial 3 minutes of hoisting before normalising. Whilst these changes were not life-threatening in systemically healthy horses, the persistent hypoxaemia and transient hypotension present real risks for compromised patients—those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, respiratory compromise, or anaemic conditions warrant particular caution, and close monitoring of both arterial blood pressure and oxygenation is essential when hoisting sick equine patients during or immediately after inhalant anaesthesia.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Hoisting anesthetized horses causes a brief but significant drop in blood pressure and a sustained decrease in blood oxygenation; continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure and oxygen saturation is essential during hoisting of sick or compromised patients
- •The persistent decrease in PaO2 post-hoisting may pose greater risks in systemically compromised horses than in healthy individuals; consider supplemental oxygen support and extended monitoring after hoisting
- •Timing of hoisting procedures should account for hemodynamic instability in the first 1–2 minutes; plan procedures to minimize this critical window, especially in high-risk patients
Key Findings
- •Mean arterial pressure dropped significantly from 74±17 mmHg to 57±20 mmHg within first minute of hoisting (p<0.05), then recovered and elevated above baseline for 5 min post-hoisting
- •Heart rate increased by 6–9 beats per minute during initial 3 minutes of hoisting before returning to baseline (p<0.05)
- •Arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) decreased significantly from 324.9±137.0 mmHg at baseline to 141.3±104.2 mmHg during hoisting (p<0.001) without recovery to baseline values
- •Arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) showed no significant changes across hoisting phases