Effects of propofol and isoflurane anesthesia on the intraocular pressure and hemodynamics of pigs

• Published in: Ophthalmic research Vol. 45; no. 1; p. 42
• Main Authors: Buehner, Eva, Pietsch, Uta-Carolin, Bringmann, Andreas, Foja, Christian, Wiedemann, Peter, Uhlmann, Susann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01-01-2011
• Subjects: Anesthesia, Inhalation; Anesthesia, Intravenous; Anesthetics, Combined - pharmacology; Anesthetics, Inhalation - pharmacology; Anesthetics, Intravenous - pharmacology; Animals; Antihypertensive Agents - administration & dosage; Female; Hemodynamics - drug effects; Intraocular Pressure - drug effects; Isoflurane - pharmacology; Ketamine - pharmacology; Male; Propofol - pharmacology; Sus scrofa; Tonometry, Ocular
• ISSN: 1423-0259
• DOI: 10.1159/000317060

To determine the conditions under which anesthetized pigs can be used in acute noninvasive investigations of ocular hydro- and hemodynamics, the intraocular pressure (IOP) of adult pigs was recorded under the following conditions: (1) after intravenous injection of propofol plus ketamine; (2) during inhalation of isoflurane, and (3) 2 h after topical administration of bimatoprost or (4) timolol. Propofol/ketamine and isoflurane induced significant decreases in the IOP. The pulsation of the ophthalmic artery appeared at a significantly higher IOP in animals anesthetized with isoflurane than in those anesthetized with propofol/ketamine. Bimatoprost and timolol did not significantly decrease the IOP within 2 h after topical administration. It is concluded that different techniques for the acute noninvasive investigation of ocular hydro- and hemodynamics are applicable in anesthetized pigs. To test the effects of antiglaucoma agents, investigation periods longer than 2 h are required. We recommend the use of intravenous propofol/ketamine anesthesia rather than isoflurane anesthesia in future experiments using pigs.