Dissociative and Inhalant Anesthetics Flashcards
What is dissociative anesthesia? What are 2 characteristics?
CNS state produced by the dissociation of different levels of the CNS from each other - depression of some portions and enhancement of the limbic system, cutting off the brain’s perception of pain
- analgesia
- superficial sleep
What are 2 common dissociative anesthetics?
- Ketamine
- Tiletamine
Superficial sleep and analgesia are characteristic of dissociative anesthesia. What actions in the brain still remain? What type of analgesia is provided?
many reflexes are maintained (laryngeal)
somatic (visceral analgesia is poor)
What action on the body do dissociative anesthetics lack?
muscle relaxation is poor —> cataleptic, rigid, extended limbs
What are the typical pharmacological effects of dissociative anesthetics on the CNS, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system?
CNS: increased cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure
CV: depression, healthy animals = paradoxical stimulation
RESP: cats may develop apneustic breathing patterns
What 5 effects of Cyclohexylamines (dissociative anesthetics) are described in humans?
- altered visual and auditory perception without genuine hallucination
- produce feelings of detachment from environment and depersonalization
- highly addictive
- long-term effects include memory loss and depression
- hyperthermia, convulsions, death
What are 5 general indicators of subjects under the influence of Cyclohexylamines (dissociative anesthetics)?
- black stare
- confusion
- chemical odor
- cyclic behavior
- depersonalization
What is Ketamine? How is it typically used?
non-barbiturate cyclohexylamine (dissociative anesthetic) used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia
mostly IM, IV, or infusion in combination with sedative and muscle relaxants
- cats, dogs, small ruminants, swine
- only IV in adult horses and cattle
What 3 characteristics make Ketamine unique?
- hypnotic
- analgesic
- amnestic
What is the systemic mechanism of action of Ketamine?
- interrupts the connection between the cortex and limbic system
- stimulates opioid receptors to provide sedation and analgesia
- stimulates catecholamine release to increase cardiac output and bronchodilation
What is the molecular mechanism of action of Ketamine?
classical non-competitive inhibitor of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), the ion channel involved in excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission
What effect does Ketamine have when binding to receptors in the brain? What are some other targets?
binds to NMDA receptors on GABA interneurons, resulting in high GABA and low glutamate levels
- dopaminergic, serotonergic, opioidergic, cholinergic
- serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake transporters
- ion channels
What is Ketamine’s plasma binding characteristic? What does this result in?
low binding to plasma proteins
lipid solubility is 5x higher than thiopental, allowing for rapid onset and extensive distribution
When can Ketamine be used alone? What drugs is it typically used with to induce general anesthesia? When is a sub-anesthetic dose preferred?
in cats for minor procedures or to facilitate restraint
tranquilizers and opioids
constant-rate infusion (CRI) for analgesia
What tranquilizers are typically combined with ketamine in horses, dogs/cats, and pigs/cattle/goats? What does this result in?
HORSES: Xylazine - muscle relaxation
DOGS/CATS: Xylazine, Diazepam, Midazolam, Dexmedetomidine - prevent seizures, muscle relaxation
PIGS/CATTLE/GOATS: Diazepam, Xylazine - muscle relaxation
What is a common adverse effect of the administration of ketamine alone in horses and dogs? What are 2 common results in cats?
seizures
- profuse salivation resulting in airway obstruction (anticholinergic drugs can prevent this)
- trance-like state
Why is a possible adverse effect on the eyes following ketamine use? How can this be avoided?
corneal ulceration
ophthalmic ointment