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Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 33, 591-596, Copyright © 1986 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Clonidine Prolongs Canine Tetracaine Spinal Anaesthesia

M. D. BEDDER MD1, R. KOZODY MD FRCPC1, R. J. PALAHNIUK MD FRCPC1, M. O. CUMMING RN BSC1, and W. R. PUCCI 1

1 Department of Anaesthesia, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Address correspondence to: Dr. R. Kozody, Department of Anesthesia, University of Manitoba, LB315-60 Pearl Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 1X2.

Using a randomized blind cross-over design, the comparative efficacy of clonidine in prolonging tetracaine spinal anaesthesia was studied in six mongrel dogs.

Lumbar subarachnoid injections (1 ml) of: tetracaine 4 mg with clonidine 150 µg, tetracaine 4 mg with epinephrine 200 µg, tetracaine 4 mg, clonidine 150 µg, epinephrine 200 µg, and five per cent dextrose in H2O (vehicle) were administered randomly to each animal at 5-7 day intervals.

Subarachnoid tetracaine produced a motor blockade of 186 ± 58 (mean ± SEM) min. Both clonidine and epinephrine produced a similar prolongation of tetracaine motor blockade, 135 per cent (p < 0.01) and 116 per cent (p < 0.05) respectively, compared with tetracaine alone. No motor blockade was observed in dogs receiving clonidine, epinephrine or five per cent dextrose in H2O. The addition of clonidine to tetracaine spinal anaesthesia produced a significant increase in duration of sensory blockade, 56 per cent (p < 0.01) and 107 per cent (p < 0.01) respectively, when compared to tetracaine with and without epinephrine. Subarachnoid clonidine alone produced a sensory blockade of 76 ± 17 minutes, while only one animal receiving subarachnoid epinephrine had a sensory blockade (40 minutes). No neurologic deficits were observed in any of the animals.

The study concludes that during spinal anaesthesia with tetracaine in dogs, clonidine is as effective as epinephrine in prolonging motor blockade, but is more effective in prolonging sensory blockade.

Key Words: ANAESTHETIC TECHNIQUES: subarachnoid block • ANAESTHETICS, LOCAL: tetracaine • SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, CATECHOLAMINES: epinephrine • ADRENOCEPTOR AGONIST: clonidine






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Copyright © 1986 by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.