RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in dynamic compliance (Cdyn), ventilation/perfusion (VË/ QË) mismatch and haemodynamic variables in hypoxaemic anaesthetized horses whose PaO2 increased following salbutamol inhalation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, clinical, cohort study. ANIMALS: A group of 73 client-owned horses treated with salbutamol when PaO2 <100 mmHg (13.3 kPa) during anaesthesia. METHODS: Horses were divided into two groups: responders (R), where PaO2 after salbutamol ≥1.2 PaO2 before treatment (i.e. ≥20% increase), and non-responders (NR), where PaO2 after salbutamol <1.2 PaO2 before treatment. Demographic data and intraoperative variables before treatment were compared between R and NR. Cdyn, arterial to end-tidal carbon dioxide difference [P(a-E´)CO2], estimated ratio of dead space to tidal volume (est.VD/VT), estimated shunt fraction (F-shunt), heart rate, systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressure and dobutamine requirements were compared before and after treatment within R and NR. For each variable, the difference (Δ) between values pre- and posttreatment was calculated and compared between groups R and NR. Numerical data were compared using univariate or bivariate analysis and categorical data were compared using chi-square test; p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 73 horses 50 were classified as R while 23 horses were classified as NR. There was no statistical difference between R and NR for demographic data or initial intraoperative variables except for body weight [R: 531 (170-715) kg, NR: 540 (420-914) kg]. While salbutamol did not alter Cdyn in either group, it significantly decreased P(a-E´)CO2, est.VD/VT and F-shunt in R only. ΔP(a-E´)CO2, Δest.VD/VT and ΔF-shunt were significantly greater in R (-17.8%, -19.0% and -24.1%, respectively) than in NR (11.5%, 6.6% and -0.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In hypoxaemic anaesthetized horses responding to inhaled salbutamol by a ≥1.2 increase in PaO2 no change in Cdyn was detected, but indicators of VË/ QË mismatch improved.