RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In daily practice, atopic patients and those who have other drug allergies are referred to allergy clinics for evaluation of possible general anesthetic allergy despite the fact that it is not recommended in recent guidelines. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study is to determine the negative predictive value of skin tests for common general anesthetic drugs prior to general anesthesia in atopic patients and in patients who had drug allergies by including the data of those who had previously tolerated or reacted to general anesthesia. METHODS: A database program was constituted to collect the preoperative skin test data of patients referred to our clinic between 2013 and 2018. Demographic and clinical history, medications implemented during perioperative period, reactions, and results of skin tests performed with anesthetic drugs and latex were evaluated. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-nine out of the total 1167 patients referred fulfilled the inclusion criteria for further evaluation. Nearly 75% of the patients were female and mean age was 46.3⯱â¯14.3 years. History of hypersensitivity reactions (HRs) due to NSAIDs and/or antibiotics, radiocontrast agents, local anesthetics, and food were present in the 53.1%, 4.1%, 1.5%, and 2.0%, respectively. The negative predictive values of skin tests for general anesthetics were in the range of 80-100%. Only 4 patients (0,87%) experienced HRs during operation. CONCLUSION: These real-life data reveal high rates of negative predictive value of skin tests with general anesthetic drugs and a low reaction rate in atopic patients and in patients with allergy to other drugs.
Assuntos
Anestésicos Gerais , Anestésicos , Hipersensibilidade a Drogas , Adulto , Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Anestésicos Locais/efeitos adversos , Hipersensibilidade a Drogas/diagnóstico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Testes CutâneosRESUMO
General anesthetics are crucial drugs for surgical interventions, which are indicated to induce analgesia, diminish pain, and reduce anxiety in order to facilitate invasive procedures. In pediatric patients, benefits of general anesthetics also include abolishment of motility. Besides their probed benefits on surgery, the recent warning of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the use of general anesthetics in children yielded a controversy on their potential neurotoxic effects. In this review, the main facts of the cerebral development are studied, and the available evidence concerning the use of general anesthesia on the neuropsychological development of children is analyzed. Most of the studies found were uncontrolled retrospective cohorts for which conclusions are difficult to obtain. However, a few group of controlled studies, including the Mayo Anesthesia Safety in Kids study (MASK), have partially supported the FDA warning. Cumulated evidence appears to support the safety use of general anesthetics, but no conclusive data supporting that it may induce massive effects on the cognitive development of exposed children has been reported. Important evidence suggests that specific cognitive functions may result altered under long-term expositions. Such data must be considered for those involved in anesthetic procedures.
La anestesia general es una herramienta imprescindible para el proceso quirúrgico, ya que disminuye el dolor, reduce la ansiedad y genera inconsciencia. Sin ella, las cirugías serían dolorosas, riesgosas y emocionalmente traumáticas. La reciente emisión de una alerta sobre el uso de fármacos anestésicos en niños menores de 3 años por parte de la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) de los Estados Unidos generó controversia en torno a sus posibles efectos negativos. En este artículo se abordan los principales hitos del desarrollo neurobiológico del niño y se revisan las posibles consecuencias neuropsicológicas del uso de anestesia general en esta población. La mayoría de los reportes que abordan este tema son de tipo retrospectivo y arrojan resultados controversiales por sus inherentes dificultades metodológicas. Sin embargo, el estudio prospectivo sobre seguridad del uso de anestesia general en niños de la Clínica Mayo (MASK, Mayo Anesthesia Safety in Kids), junto con otros estudios a gran escala, han confirmado algunos datos obtenidos en los estudios experimentales que dieron sustento a la alerta emitida por la FDA. Así, las evidencias hasta ahora publicadas sugieren que el uso de anestesia general es seguro para el desarrollo cognitivo general del niño, aunque evidencian también alteraciones focalizadas en procesos cognitivos específicos que deben ser consideradas por el médico y la familia ante un procedimiento quirúrgico-anestésico.
Assuntos
Anestesia Geral/efeitos adversos , Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Síndromes Neurotóxicas/etiologia , Anestesia Geral/métodos , Anestésicos Gerais/administração & dosagem , Cognição/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Lactente , Projetos de PesquisaRESUMO
Resumen La anestesia general es una herramienta imprescindible para el proceso quirúrgico, ya que disminuye el dolor, reduce la ansiedad y genera inconsciencia. Sin ella, las cirugías serían dolorosas, riesgosas y emocionalmente traumáticas. La reciente emisión de una alerta sobre el uso de fármacos anestésicos en niños menores de 3 años por parte de la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) de los Estados Unidos generó controversia en torno a sus posibles efectos negativos. En este artículo se abordan los principales hitos del desarrollo neurobiológico del niño y se revisan las posibles consecuencias neuropsicológicas del uso de anestesia general en esta población. La mayoría de los reportes que abordan este tema son de tipo retrospectivo y arrojan resultados controversiales por sus inherentes dificultades metodológicas. Sin embargo, el estudio prospectivo sobre seguridad del uso de anestesia general en niños de la Clínica Mayo (MASK, Mayo Anesthesia Safety in Kids), junto con otros estudios a gran escala, han confirmado algunos datos obtenidos en los estudios experimentales que dieron sustento a la alerta emitida por la FDA. Así, las evidencias hasta ahora publicadas sugieren que el uso de anestesia general es seguro para el desarrollo cognitivo general del niño, aunque evidencian también alteraciones focalizadas en procesos cognitivos específicos que deben ser consideradas por el médico y la familia ante un procedimiento quirúrgico-anestésico.
Abstract General anesthetics are crucial drugs for surgical interventions, which are indicated to induce analgesia, diminish pain, and reduce anxiety in order to facilitate invasive procedures. In pediatric patients, benefits of general anesthetics also include abolishment of motility. Besides their probed benefits on surgery, the recent warning of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the use of general anesthetics in children yielded a controversy on their potential neurotoxic effects. In this review, the main facts of the cerebral development are studied, and the available evidence concerning the use of general anesthesia on the neuropsychological development of children is analyzed. Most of the studies found were uncontrolled retrospective cohorts for which conclusions are difficult to obtain. However, a few group of controlled studies, including the Mayo Anesthesia Safety in Kids study (MASK), have partially supported the FDA warning. Cumulated evidence appears to support the safety use of general anesthetics, but no conclusive data supporting that it may induce massive effects on the cognitive development of exposed children has been reported. Important evidence suggests that specific cognitive functions may result altered under long-term expositions. Such data must be considered for those involved in anesthetic procedures.
Assuntos
Humanos , Lactente , Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Síndromes Neurotóxicas/etiologia , Anestesia Geral/efeitos adversos , Projetos de Pesquisa , Cognição/efeitos dos fármacos , Anestésicos Gerais/administração & dosagem , Anestesia Geral/métodosRESUMO
Previous studies indicated that some general anesthetics induce long-term antidepressant and/or anxiolytic-like effects. This raises the concern about the use of anesthesia in surgeries that precede psychopharmacological tests, since it may be a potential bias on results depending on the experimental design used. Thus, we evaluated whether general anesthetics used in surgeries preceding psychopharmacological tests would affect rats behavior in tests predictive of antidepressant or anxiolytic-like effects. We tested if a single exposure to sub-anesthetic or anesthetic doses of tribromoethanol, chloral hydrate, thiopental or isoflurane would change rats behavior in the forced swimming test (FST) or in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, at 2 h or 7 days after their administration. We also evaluated whether prior anesthesia would interfere in the detection of the antidepressant-like effect of imipramine or the anxiolytic-like effect of diazepam. Previous anesthesia with the aforementioned anesthetics did not change rats behaviors in FST per se nor it changed the antidepressant-like effect induced by imipramine treatment. Rats previously anesthetized with tribromoethanol or chloral hydrate exhibited, respectively, anxiogenic-like and anxiolytic-like behaviors in the EPM. Prior anesthesia with thiopental or isoflurane did not produce any per se effect in rats behaviors in the EPM nor disturbed the anxiolytic-like effect of diazepam. Our results suggest that, in our experimental conditions, tribromoethanol and chloral hydrate are improper anesthetics for surgeries that precede behavioral analysis in the EPM. Isoflurane or thiopental may be suitable for anesthesia before evaluation in the EPM or in the FST.
Assuntos
Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Anestésicos Gerais/farmacologia , Animais , Ansiolíticos/farmacologia , Antidepressivos/farmacologia , Ansiedade/tratamento farmacológico , Hidrato de Cloral/efeitos adversos , Hidrato de Cloral/farmacologia , Depressão/tratamento farmacológico , Diazepam/farmacologia , Etanol/efeitos adversos , Etanol/análogos & derivados , Etanol/farmacologia , Imipramina/farmacologia , Isoflurano/efeitos adversos , Isoflurano/farmacologia , Masculino , Atividade Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Tiopental/efeitos adversos , Tiopental/farmacologiaRESUMO
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare neuromuscular hereditary disorder, triggered in susceptible individuals by exposure to inhalational agents or succinylcholine and manifested as a hypermetabolic state. We report the case of a 22 years old male patient anesthetized with Desflurane in whom MH was suspected because of unexplained increased levels of End-Tidal carbon dioxide. Dantrolene was administered with good response. Respiratory acidosis and hyperkalemia were also detected but could be easily controlled. The postoperative period was uneventful with the exception of a superficial venous thrombosis at the dantrolenes injection site. The patient was discharged eight days after the episode without sequela. Successful management of a malignant hyperthemia episode must include: early suspicion, asking for help and early treatment with dantrolene.
La Hipertermia Maligna es un trastorno neuromuscular hereditario infrecuente, manifestado por un estado hipermetabólico desencadenado en individuos susceptibles por la exposición a anestésicos halogenados o Succinilcolina. Se reporta el caso de un hombre de 22 años anestesiado con Desflurano, en quien el diagnóstico de Hipertermia Maligna se sospechó por la presencia de elevación inexplicada del CO2 espirado, que respondió a la suspensión del Desflurano y administración de Dantroleno. Se observó además hiperkalemia y acidosis respiratoria, que fueron fácilmente compensadas. La evolución postoperatoria fue satisfactoria, a excepción de una trombosis venosa superficial en el sitio de inyección del Dantroleno. El paciente fue dado de alta al 8avo día postoperatorio, sin secuelas. Las claves del manejo exitoso de un episodio de hipertermia maligna están en: Sospecha precoz, solicitar ayuda e inició rápido del tratamiento con Dantroleno.
Assuntos
Masculino , Humanos , Adulto Jovem , Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Dióxido de Carbono/análise , Isoflurano/efeitos adversos , Isoflurano/análogos & derivados , Hipertermia Maligna/etiologiaRESUMO
Myoclonus induced by etomidate during induction of general anesthesia is undesirable. This study evaluated the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) pretreatment on the incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus. Ninety patients undergoing elective surgical procedures were randomly allocated to three groups (n=30 each) for intravenous administration of 10 mL isotonic saline (group I), 0.5 µg/kg DEX in 10 mL isotonic saline (group II), or 1.0 µg/kg DEX in 10 mL isotonic saline (group III) over 10 min. All groups subsequently received 0.3 mg/kg etomidate by intravenous push injection. The incidence and severity of myoclonus were recorded for 1 min after etomidate administration and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events that occurred between the administration of the DEX infusion and 1 min after tracheal intubation was recorded. The incidence of myoclonus was significantly reduced in groups II and III (30.0 and 36.7%), compared with group I (63.3%). The incidence of severe sinus bradycardia was significantly increased in group III compared with group I (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in heart rate in groups I and II. There were no significant differences in the incidence of low blood pressure among the 3 groups. Pretreatment with 0.5 and 1.0 µg/kg DEX significantly reduced the incidence of etomidate-induced myoclonus during anesthetic induction; however, 0.5 µg/kg DEX is recommended because it had fewer side effects.
Assuntos
Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Bradicardia/epidemiologia , Dexmedetomidina/administração & dosagem , Etomidato/efeitos adversos , Hipnóticos e Sedativos/administração & dosagem , Mioclonia/induzido quimicamente , Mioclonia/prevenção & controle , Pressão Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Eletivos , Frequência Cardíaca/efeitos dos fármacos , Incidência , Mioclonia/epidemiologia , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Myoclonus induced by etomidate during induction of general anesthesia is undesirable. This study evaluated the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) pretreatment on the incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus. Ninety patients undergoing elective surgical procedures were randomly allocated to three groups (n=30 each) for intravenous administration of 10 mL isotonic saline (group I), 0.5 µg/kg DEX in 10 mL isotonic saline (group II), or 1.0 µg/kg DEX in 10 mL isotonic saline (group III) over 10 min. All groups subsequently received 0.3 mg/kg etomidate by intravenous push injection. The incidence and severity of myoclonus were recorded for 1 min after etomidate administration and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events that occurred between the administration of the DEX infusion and 1 min after tracheal intubation was recorded. The incidence of myoclonus was significantly reduced in groups II and III (30.0 and 36.7%), compared with group I (63.3%). The incidence of severe sinus bradycardia was significantly increased in group III compared with group I (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in heart rate in groups I and II. There were no significant differences in the incidence of low blood pressure among the 3 groups. Pretreatment with 0.5 and 1.0 µg/kg DEX significantly reduced the incidence of etomidate-induced myoclonus during anesthetic induction; however, 0.5 µg/kg DEX is recommended because it had fewer side effects.
Assuntos
Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Bradicardia/epidemiologia , Dexmedetomidina/administração & dosagem , Etomidato/efeitos adversos , Hipnóticos e Sedativos/administração & dosagem , Mioclonia/induzido quimicamente , Mioclonia/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Pressão Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Eletivos , Feminino , Frequência Cardíaca/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Incidência , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mioclonia/epidemiologia , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the cardiopulmonary effects of ephedrine and phenylephrine for management of isoflurane-induced hypotension in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical study. ANIMALS: Fourteen isoflurane-anesthetized horses undergoing digital palmar neurectomy. METHODS: Ephedrine (EPH group; 0.02 mg kg(-1) minute(-1); n = 7) or phenylephrine (PHE group; 0.002 mg kg(-1) minute(-1); n = 7) was administered to all horses when mean arterial pressure (MAP) was <60 mmHg. The infusions were ended when the target MAP was achieved, corresponding to a 50% increase over the pre-infusion MAP (baseline). The horses were instrumented with an arterial catheter to measure blood pressure and allow the collection of blood for pH and blood-gas analysis and a Swan-Ganz catheter for measurement of cardiac output using thermodilution. Cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded at baseline and at 5, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after achieving the target MAP. RESULTS: In both groups, the MAP and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increased significantly at 5, 30, 60 and 90 minutes post infusion compared to baseline (p < 0.05). The EPH group had a significant increase in cardiac index (CI) and systemic oxygen delivery index at 5, 30, 60 and 90 minutes post infusion compared to baseline (p < 0.05) and compared to the PHE group (p < 0.05). The PHE group had significantly higher SVR and no decrease in oxygen extraction compared with the EPH group at 30, 60 and 90 minutes post infusion (p < 0.05). No significant differences in ventilatory parameters were observed between groups after the infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Ephedrine increased the MAP by increasing CI and SVR. Phenylephrine increased MAP by increasing SVR but cardiac index decreased. Ephedrine resulted in better tissue oxygenation than phenylephrine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ephedrine would be preferable to phenylephrine to treat isoflurane-induced hypotension in horses since it increases blood flow and pressure.
Assuntos
Pressão Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Efedrina/farmacologia , Cavalos , Hipotensão/veterinária , Fenilefrina/farmacologia , Simpatomiméticos/farmacologia , Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Animais , Hipotensão/induzido quimicamente , Hipotensão/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The significant relationship between upper abdominal surgery and early (perioperative) pulmonary events was investigated among patients with preoperative pulmonary conditions undergoing general anesthesia. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study for which data were obtained prospectively from 1999 to 2004, at a tertiary university hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 3107 patients over 11 years old presenting American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status I, II or III who underwent upper abdominal surgery under general anesthesia and were discharged to the recovery room. The preoperative conditions analyzed using logistic regression were: age, sex, ASA physical status, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory failure and smoking. The outcomes or dependent variables included intraoperative and postoperative events: bronchospasm, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, prolonged intubation and airway secretion. RESULTS: Among these patients (1500 males, 1607 females, mean age 48 years, 1088 ASA I, 1402 ASA II and 617 ASA III), there were 80 congestive heart failures, 82 asthmatics, 122 with COPD, 21 respiratory failures and 428 smokers. Logistic regression analysis showed that female sex (p < 0.001), age over 70 years (p < 0.01), smoking (p < 0.001) and COPD (p < 0.02) significantly influenced pulmonary event development, particularly hypoxemia and bronchospasm, at both times but not in the same patients. Asthma and congestive heart failure cases did not present pulmonary events in the recovery room. CONCLUSION: In upper abdominal surgery under general anesthesia, female sex, age over 70, smoking and COPD were independent risk factors for intra and postoperative pulmonary events.
CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Associações significativas entre cirurgia do abdome superior e eventos pulmonares do período perioperatório foram investigadas em pacientes com condições pulmonares pré-operatórias submetidos a anestesia geral. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo retrospectivo cujos dados foram retirados de banco de dados obtidos prospectivamente de forma protocolada, de 1 de janeiro de 1999 a 31 de dezembro de 2004, em hospital universitário terciário. MÉTODOS: Estudados 3107 pacientes com mais de 11 anos, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I, II, III, com cirurgia de abdome superior sob anestesia geral, enviados à sala de recuperação. Condições pré-operatórias analisadas por regressão logística foram: idade, sexo, estado físico ASA, insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, asma, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, insuficiência respiratória e hábito de fumar. Os resultados estudados, ou variáveis dependentes, incluíram eventos intra- e pós-operatórios: broncoespasmo, hipoxemia, hipercapnia, intubação prolongada e secreção de vias aéreas. RESULTADOS: Dos 3.107 pacientes: 1.540 eram homens, 1.649 mulheres, tinham média de 48 anos, 1088 ASA I, 1402 ASA II, 617 ASA III, com insuficiência cardíaca havia 80, asma, 82, doença pulmonar obstrutiva, 122, insuficiência respiratória, 21, hábito de fumar, 428. Pela regressão logística, sexo feminino (p < 0.001), idade maior que 70 anos (p < 0.01), hábito de fumar (p < 0.001) e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (p < 0.02) influenciaram significativamente o desenvolvimento de eventos pulmonares, principalmente hipoxemia e broncospasmo, em ambos os períodos, mas não nos mesmos pacientes. Asma e insuficiência cardíaca não se associaram com eventos pulmonares na sala de recuperação. CONCLUSÃO: Em cirurgia do abdome superior sob anestesia geral, sexo feminino, idade maior que 70 anos, hábito de fumar e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica foram fatores de risco independentes para a ocorrência de eventos...
Assuntos
Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Abdome/cirurgia , Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Complicações Intraoperatórias/etiologia , Pulmão/efeitos dos fármacos , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/etiologia , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/complicações , Fatores Etários , Asma/complicações , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Pulmão/patologia , Prognóstico , Insuficiência Respiratória/complicações , Fatores Sexuais , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The significant relationship between upper abdominal surgery and early (perioperative) pulmonary events was investigated among patients with preoperative pulmonary conditions undergoing general anesthesia. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study for which data were obtained prospectively from 1999 to 2004, at a tertiary university hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 3107 patients over 11 years old presenting American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status I, II or III who underwent upper abdominal surgery under general anesthesia and were discharged to the recovery room. The preoperative conditions analyzed using logistic regression were: age, sex, ASA physical status, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory failure and smoking. The outcomes or dependent variables included intraoperative and postoperative events: bronchospasm, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, prolonged intubation and airway secretion. RESULTS: Among these patients (1500 males, 1607 females, mean age 48 years, 1088 ASA I, 1402 ASA II and 617 ASA III), there were 80 congestive heart failures, 82 asthmatics, 122 with COPD, 21 respiratory failures and 428 smokers. Logistic regression analysis showed that female sex (p < 0.001), age over 70 years (p < 0.01), smoking (p < 0.001) and COPD (p < 0.02) significantly influenced pulmonary event development, particularly hypoxemia and bronchospasm, at both times but not in the same patients. Asthma and congestive heart failure cases did not present pulmonary events in the recovery room. CONCLUSION: In upper abdominal surgery under general anesthesia, female sex, age over 70, smoking and COPD were independent risk factors for intra and postoperative pulmonary events.
Assuntos
Abdome/cirurgia , Anestésicos Gerais/efeitos adversos , Complicações Intraoperatórias/etiologia , Pulmão/efeitos dos fármacos , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/etiologia , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica/complicações , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Asma/complicações , Criança , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Feminino , Humanos , Pulmão/patologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prognóstico , Insuficiência Respiratória/complicações , Fatores Sexuais , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
There are reports describing both provocation and inhibition of neurogenic pulmonary edema by anesthetic drugs. Therefore, we compared the effect of two types of anesthesia on the formation of neurogenic pulmonary edema in rats with balloon-induced acute spinal cord injury. Animals with sham procedure (group 1) were anesthesized by intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbital. In the experimental groups, rats were submitted to acute spinal cord lesion by insufflations of a balloon in the epidural space at T8 for 1 min (group 3 under i.p. sodium pentobarbital and group 2 under i.p. xylazine-ketamine anesthesia). In rats with pentobarbital anesthesia, systolic blood pressure doubled the baseline value during compression, whereas this effect was less pronounced in the ketamine-xylazine group. The pulmonary index (100 x wet lung weight/body weight) was 0.395 (+/-0.018) in sham-operated rats, rose to 0.499 (+/-0.060) in group 2, and was maximum under pentobarbital anesthesia (0.639+/-0.14; p=0.0018). Histologic examination of the spinal cord showed parenchymal ruptures and acute hemorrhage. Comparison of the pulmonary index with histologic slides of lung parenchyma revealed that relevant intra-alveolar edema occurred only for index values above 0.55. On electron microscopy, endothelial alterations, and damage of the alveolar lining cells were found. Our study indicates that neurogenic pulmonary edema caused by spinal cord injury is less pronounced in rats under xylazine-ketamine anesthesia, when compared with pentobarbital.