Perioperative management of calves undergoing implantation of a left ventricular assist device

Objective— To describe perioperative management of calves that underwent left lateral thoracotomy, aortic cross‐clamping, partial left heart bypass and implantation of a left ventricular assist device. Sample Population— A total of 43 healthy castrated male calves, weighing 121 ± 24 kg. Results— Diazepam (mean ± SD, 0.26 ± 0.07 mg/kg), ketamine (5.9 ± 2.17 mg/kg) and isoflurane were used in the anesthetic management of calves undergoing implantation of a left ventricular assist device in the descending thoracic aorta. Other adjunctive agents administered were fentanyl (11 ± 5.4 μg/kg), lidocaine (4.9 ± 3.19 mg/kg), bupivacaine (0.75%) and butorphanol (0.49 ± 0.13 mg/kg). None of the calves regurgitated at induction or during intubation. A tube was used to drain the rumen and prevent bloat during the procedure. Partial left heart bypass was used to perfuse the caudal half of the body during the period of aortic cross clamp and device implantation. Initial mean systemic blood pressure was 96 ± 25 mm Hg, and pressures measured in the auricular artery increased during aortic cross‐clamping and bypass. Vasoconstrictor therapy was required to treat caudal arterial hypotension during the procedure in 9 calves. Mean systemic arterial pressures returned to baseline values by the end of the anesthetic period. Initial mean pulmonary arterial pressures(PAP) were 22 ± 3 mm Hg. A significant but transient increase in pulmonary arterial pressure occurred after both heparin and protamine administration. Conclusions— The described anesthetic protocol was effective for thoracotomy and implantation of an intra‐aortic left ventricular assist device in normal calves. Partial left ventricular bypass was a useful adjunct during the period of aortic cross clamp. The doses of heparin and protamine administered were effective. Responsibility to monitor oxygenation of the cranial half of the animal continues during the bypass period as hypoxemia due to pulmonary dysfunction will not be detected by the perfusionist.