Anesthetic induction: overview

Introduction

• General anesthesia : a state of unconsciousness produced by controlled, reversible intoxication of the central nervous system during which the patient neither perceives nor recalls noxious stimuli.
• Anesthetic agent : a substance which produces loss of consciousness in a controllable manner.
• Anesthetic induction : the state achieved when anesthetic agent concentration in the brain is high enough.
• Induction can be achieved using (alone or in combination):
  • Injectable agents administered intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM).
  • Volatile agents inhaled with a carrier gas.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed.
• Pasloske K, Sauer B, Perkins N & Whittem (2009) Plasma pharmacokinetics of alfaxalone in both premedicated and unpremedicated Greyhound dogs after single, intravenous administration of Alfaxan at a clinical dose. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 32 , 510-513 PubMed.
• Ferre P J, Pasloske K, Whittem T, Ranasinghe M G, Li Q, Lefebvre H P (2009) Plasma pharmacokinetics of alfaxalone in dogs after an intravenous bolus of Alfaxan-CD RTU. Vet Anaesth Analg 33 , 229-236 PubMed.
• Sams R A et al(1988) Effects of phenobarbital on thiopental pharmacokinetics in greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 49 (2), 245-249.
• Robinson E P et al(1986) Barbiturate anesthesia in greyhound and mixed-breed dogs - comparative cardiopulmonary effects, anesthetic effects, and recovery rates. Am J Vet Res 47 (10), 2105-2112.
• Sams R A et al(1985) Comparative pharmacokinetics and anesthetic effects of methohexital, pentobarbital, thiamylal, and thiopental in Greyhound dogs and non-Greyhound, mixed breed dogs. Am J Vet Res 46 (8), 1677-1683.