Study shows that dogs receiving acepromazine more likely to have hypotension

A study evaluated the use of acepromazine and dexmedetomidine as preanesthetics. Records from more than 300 dogs that were undergoing ovariohysterectomy were evaluated for the development of arterial hypotension or bradycardia while under isoflurane sedation between January 2009 and December 2010.

Data analysis included demographics, sedative and anesthetic drugs, duration of anesthesia, average vaporizer setting, positive pressure ventilation, occurrence of hypotension or bradycardia, time to first occurrence and duration of hypotension, and treatment with dopamine or anticholinergic agents were recorded.

Data were specifically compared between dogs that received acepromazine and dexmedetomidine.

For dogs that received acepromazine, the odds of developing hypotension were 2.61 times those for dogs that received dexmedetomidine.

Hypotension occurred earlier and lasted longer in dogs that received acepromazine, and this group was treated with dopamine more frequently than the group that received dexmedetomidine.

Lower body weight was associated with increased odds of hypotension.

Odds of developing bradycardia were greater for dogs sedated with dexmedetomidine (vs acepromazine) and for dogs that underwent anesthetic induction with propofol or a ketamine-benzodiazepine combination (vs thiopental.)

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Acepromazine vs dexmedetomidine for preoperative sedation