Comparison of hemodynamic effects of propofol or alfaxalone during induction in dogs

This randomized prospective clinical study aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of propofol and alfaxalone for the induction of anesthesia in dogs. Thirty-one healthy dogs undergoing various procedures in a private referral center were premedicated with intramuscular acepromazine (0.015 mg/kg) and methadone (0.15 mg/kg). They then received 5 mg/kg of propofol over 30 s for induction, followed by a maintenance dose of 25 mg/kg/h (Group P), or 2 mg/kg of alfaxalone over 30 s for induction, followed by a continuous rate infusion of 10 mg/kg/h (Group A). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the velocity time integral (VTI) of the aortic blood flow using transthoracic echocardiography were measured before anesthetic induction and every 15 s for 180 s. Dogs not adequately anaesthetized for intubation were excluded from the hemodynamic evaluation. Events of hypotension (any MAP value lower than 60 mmHg) were also recorded. Statistical analyses utilized ANOVA for repeated measures, two-way repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-tests, or Wilcoxon signed rank-test as appropriate. Significance was set at