The effect of lateral and dorsal recumbency on cardiopulmonary function in the anaesthetised horse
Stegmann, G.F.; Littlejohn, A.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 58(1): 21-27
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 1019-9128 PMID: 3112395 Document Number: 297230
The effect of lateral and dorsal recumbency on cardiopulmonary function in six anaesthetised horses were compared. Cardiac output/kg, stroke volume/kg, alveolar ventilation, venous admixture, pulmonary shunt and blood-gas values were determined. From lateral to dorsal recumbency cardiac output/kg decreased non-significantly. A significant increase in pulmonary shunt occurred. A positive correlation between body mass and pulmonary shunt in dorsal recumbency was found. Alveolar ventilation increased significantly in dorsal recumbency when breathing air compared to oxygen.