Renal perfusion, oxygenation, and sympathetic nerve activity during volatile or intravenous general anaesthesia in sheep

Abstract

Background: Global and intra-renal perfusion and oxygenation may be affected by the choice of anaesthetic. We compared the effects of isoflurane with those of propofol and fentanyl on renal blood flow (RBF) and intra-renal perfusion and oxygenation, and assessed how these were associated with renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). Methods: A renal artery flow probe and laser Doppler and oxygen-sensing probes were surgically implanted in the renal medulla and cortex in 20 Merino ewes. RSNA was measured in 12 additional ewes. We compared the effects of volatile or i.v. anaesthesia on global RBF, renal oxygen delivery (RDO 2 ), intra-renal perfusion, and RSNA with the non-anaesthetised state ..