Causes, Effects and Methods of Monitoring Gas Exchange Disturbances during Equine General Anaesthesia

Simple Summary Horses are considered to be one of the most challenging domestic species to anaesthetize. Because of the compression of the abdominal visceral organs on the lungs when positioned in dorsal or lateral recumbency, general anaesthesia can cause significant changes to pulmonary function, blood circulation and gas exchange. Consequently, post-operative complications and anaesthetic mortality rates are higher for horses than for other commonly anaesthetized companion animals. There is no ideal method for monitoring respiratory gas concentrations during general anaesthesia, so it is important to know the advantages and limitations of individual methods and the factors that affect monitoring devices. The aim of this review is to summarize previously published studies regarding the causes and effects of intraoperative gas exchange disturbances as well as monitoring methods. Horses, due to their unique anatomy and physiology, are particularly prone to intraoperative cardiopulmonary disorders. In dorsally recumbent horses, chest wall movement is restricted and the lungs are compressed by the abdominal organs, leading to the collapse of the alveoli. This results in hypoventilation, leading to hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis as well as impaired tissue oxygen supply (hypoxia). The most common mechanisms disturbing gas exchange are hypoventilation, atelectasis, ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch and shunt. Gas exchange disturbances are considered to be an important factor contributing to the high anaesthetic mortality rate and numerous post-anaesthetic side effects. Current monitoring methods, such as a pulse oximetry, capnography, arterial blood gas measurements and spirometry, may not be sufficient by themselves, and only in combination with each other can they provide extensive information about the condition of the patient. A new, promising, complementary method is near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The purpose of this article is to review the negative effect of general anaesthesia on the gas exchange in horses and describe the post-operative complications resulting from it. Understanding the changes that occur during general anaesthesia and the factors that affect them, as well as improving gas monitoring techniques, can improve the post-aesthetic survival rate and minimize post-operative complications.

Automated summary

Horses are challenging to anaesthetize due to physiological factors, leading to intraoperative gas exchange disturbances and higher post-operative complications and mortality rates compared to other companion animals. Monitoring methods may not be sufficient alone and combining them is necessary to assess the patient's condition comprehensively. New methods like near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) show promise in improving gas monitoring during general anaesthesia in horses.