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Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 30, 24-27, Copyright © 1983 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Uptake of Halothane by the Foetal Lamb in Utero

D. R. BIEHL FRCP(C)1, J. CÔTÉ FRCP(C)1, J. G. WADE FRCP(C)1, G. A. GREGORY MD1, and D. SITAR PHD1

1 Department of Anesthesia, University of Manitoba

Address Correspondence to: Diane R. Biehl MD, Department of Anesthesia, University of Manitoba, St. Boniface General Hospital, 409 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6.

The uptake of halothane by the normal foetus in utero was determined, using the pregnant ewe as an experimental animal model. Six pregnant ewes of 125-135 days gestation were surgically prepared under general anaesthesia. Poly vinyl catheters were placed in the maternal femoral artery and vein and in the foetal femoral artery and vein and the axillary artery. Each animal was allowed to recover for 24-36 hours prior to study. On the day of the experiment a tracheostomy was performed and after a control period, the ewe was anesthetized with 1.5 per cent halothane in oxygen. During each study, maternal and foetal blood pressure were continuously recorded. Simultaneous maternal and foetal arterial halothane concentrations were measured to construct an uptake curve for the foetus. During the study, foetal mean arterial blood pressure fell significantly (27 per cent). There were no significant changes in foetal or maternal pulse rate or acidbase status. Halothane appeared in the foetal blood by two minutes but foetal halothane levels remained significantly lower than maternal for 24 minutes. We conclude that halothane crosses the placenta rapidly and produces a decrease in foetal blood pressure but no change in foetal oxygenation or acid-base status.

Key Words: ANAESTHETICS, VOLATILE: halothane, pharmakokinetics, foetus






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Copyright © 1983 by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.