Effects of acepromazine on pulmonary gas exchange and circulation during sedation and dissociative anaesthesia in horses

Acepromazine added to RB generally improved haemodynamic variables and arterial oxygenation during sedation and anaesthesia. Arterial oxygenation was impaired as a result of increased shunt and V˙A/Q˙ mismatch during anaesthesia, although acepromazine treatment reduced V˙A/Q˙ disturbances and falls in PaO2 to some extent. Haemodynamic variables were closer to baseline during sedation and anaesthesia when horses received acepromazine. Acepromazine may confer advantages in healthy normovolaemic horses.