Efecto de la cafeína en la frecuencia respiratoria, el tiempo de recuperación y la actividad de onda cerebral durante la emergencia de la anestesia con sevoflurano en ratas

Objective

To determine whether caffeine affects the respiratory rate, recovery time and brain slow-wave (theta and delta) activities during the recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in rats.

Methods

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 16) were randomly divided into 2 groups: control (saline) and caffeine(75 mg/kg). After tripolar electrode implantation, rats were placed in an anesthesia chamber and brain electrocorticographic wave activities began to be recorded. Anesthesia induction was provided with sevoflurane at 4% concentration (4 L/min O₂) for 5 min and when all of the rats became unconscious, sevoflurane concentration was reduced to 3% (4 L/min O₂) for anesthesia maintenance. Saline or caffeine was intraperitoneally injected 10 min before discontinuing the anesthesia. After the sevoflurane was cut off, the rats were removed from the gas-tight box and the durations of the respiratory rate, the tail clamp and the righting reflex (full-recovery) were observed and noted. Theta and delta wave numbers and amplitude (above basal activity) as well as the number of theta oscillations were calculated from electrocorticographic recordings.

Results

Caffeine administration increased the respiratory rate during sevoflurane anesthesia; however, no significant difference was seen compared to the control group during the full recovery period. The durations of the tail clamp and the righting reflex, theta oscillations, and slow-wave number and amplitude were decreased with the injection of caffeine.

Conclusions

Acute administration of caffeine accelerates the recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia by affecting the central nervous system. Considering that prolongation of the recovery period from anesthesia increases postoperative delirium, intraoperative caffeine use may reduce risks.