Veterinary Anesthesia

Resuscitation: restoration of life after apparent death

Permanent brain damage is the consequence when brain hypoxia exceeds 4 minutes.

Signs of cardiac arrest:

1- Apnea                                                   2- No detectable pulse

3- Absence of heart sounds                    4- Cyanosis

5- Dilated and fixed pupils

Resuscitation:

Must be given in an organized manner and in definite sequence

a- Air way patent (endotracheal intubation)

b- Breathing controlled (8-12 breath/min).

The first action to establish patent airway and controlled breathing 8-12 breath/min

c- Cardiac resuscitation.

Cardiac resuscitation refers to external massage which initially is given at a rate of at least 60 compression/min. A pause after 6 compressions should be made.

d- Drugs.

- An IV catheter must be in place for administration of isotonic fluids at a rate not exceeds 80 ml/kg/hr. During the first few minutes the drip should be rapid.

- Usually the vascular bed is dilated and the added fluid volume is helpful and often essential for cardiac filling.

- Drugs given in the first few minutes are sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) (2 mEq/kg) and Calcl2 (10 mg/kg) to treat metabolic acidosis and to increase myocardial contractility.

- Isoproterenal (5-30 mg) , epinephrine (100 mg) or dobutamine (5-10 mg/kg/min) can be given to support ventricular function.