Research Note: Cardiovascular Effects of Fentanyl IV in Anesthetized Cats

Fentanyl, a mu-opioid agonist, is used to decrease inhaled anesthetic intake, which may improve hemodynamics during anesthesia. The cardiovascular effect of fentanyl varies among species, but most patients become bradycardic. This study sought to determine the cardiopulmonary effects of fentanyl IV administration in cats anesthetized with isoflurane and during anesthetic recovery when acepromazine or dexmedetomidine was administered concurrently. Results indicated that healthy cats anesthetized with isoflurane experienced improved cardiovascular function without respiratory compromise following fentanyl administration. Cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine and acepromazine during anesthetic recovery differed, but the measured cardiopulmonary parameters stayed within acceptable limits.