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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

How helmet CPAP affects breathing in anesthetized cats

By Di Bella, Caterina et al.Ā·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgeryĀ·2021Ā·Department of Emergency and Organs Transplantation, ItalyĀ·View original on PubMed ā†’

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Original publication title: Effects of continuous positive airway pressure administered by a helmet in cats under general anaesthesia.

Species:
cat
Breathing & coughCats

Plain-English summary

A group of healthy male cats undergoing anesthesia for castration were tested with a special helmet that provided continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to see if it helped their breathing. The cats showed significantly higher oxygen levels while using the CPAP compared to before and after its use. This method also reduced certain measurements indicating poor oxygen exchange. Overall, using CPAP with a helmet improved the cats' oxygenation during anesthesia, which could be beneficial for their safety during surgery.

People also search for: cat anesthesia breathing problems Ā· CPAP for cats Ā· improving oxygen levels in cats under anesthesia

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the respiratory effects of non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) administered by a helmet in healthy cats under anaesthesia. METHODS: Fifteen healthy male cats scheduled for castration were anaesthetised with medetomidine (20&#x2009;&#xb5;g/kg), ketamine (10&#x2009;mg/kg) and buprenorphine (20&#x2009;&#xb5;g/kg) intramuscularly. When an adequate level of anaesthesia was achieved, a paediatric helmet was placed on all subjects. The helmet was connected to a Venturi valve supplied with medical air and cats received the following phases of treatments: 0 cmHO (pre-CPAP), 5 cmHO (CPAP) and 0 cmHO (post-CPAP). Each treatment lasted 10&#x2009;mins. At the end of each phase an arterial blood sample was drawn. The following data were also collected: mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate and the anaesthesia level score (0&#x2009;=&#x2009;awake, 10&#x2009;=&#x2009;deep anaesthesia). The alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient (P[A-a]O) and the venous admixture (Fshunt) were also estimated. Data were analysed with two-way ANOVA (<0.05). RESULTS: The arterial partial pressure of oxygen was higher (<0.001) at CPAP (103.2&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;5.1&#x2009;mmHg) vs pre-CPAP (77.5&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;7.4&#x2009;mmHg) and post-CPAP (84.6&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;8.1&#x2009;mmHg). The P(A-a)Oand the Fshunt were lower (<0.001) at CPAP (4.4&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;2.3&#x2009;mmHg; 7.4&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;3.1%) vs pre-CPAP (18.9&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;6.4&#x2009;mmHg; 22.8&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;4.6%) and post-CPAP (15.6&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;7.3&#x2009;mmHg; 20.9&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;4.6 %). No other parameters&#x2009;differed between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Non-invasive CPAP applied by a helmet improves oxygenation in cats under injectable general anaesthesia.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32840420/

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