Ketamine/Xylazine Anesthesia Is Safe In Hemorheological Point Of View: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Purpose: Some anesthetic drugs are known to have influence on circulation due to hemorheological effects. We aimed to investigate the possible effects of ketamin-xylazine anesthesia, which is extensively used in experimental animal laboratories on hemorheological parameters. Materials and methods: Adult, male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into two as control (pre-anesthesia) and post-anesthesia (n=17). Ketamin-HCl/Xylazine-HCl (90 mg/kg-10 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally. Intracardiac heparinized blood was collected either without anesthesia (control group) or after anesthesia (post-anesthesia group) following the loss of reflexes such as righting, cornea and withdrawal. Erythrocyte deformability was determined by an ektacytometer, while WBV (at shear rates of 38, 76 and 190 s-1) and PV (at 190 s-1 shear rate) at standard (40%) and otolog hematocrit (Hct) were measured via a cone-plate rotational viscometer. Results: Mean time taken for the disappearance of righting reflex was 4±3.6, corneal reflex 8±6.8 and for withdrawal reflex 10±6.7 min. 90 mg/kg Ketamin-10 mg/kg Xylazine administration did not affect RBC deformability, WBV and PV of the rats. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that, use of Ketamin/Xylazine anesthesia may be recommended especially when dealing with hemorheological, cardiovascular and hematological parameters. © 2021, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.