Electrocardiographic parameters of Sapajus libidinosus (SPIX, 1823) after chemical immobilization with tiletamine-zolazepam

J Med Primatol. 2019 Jun;48(3):154-160. doi: 10.1111/jmp.12403. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Abstract

Background: Tiletamine-zolazepam is a widely used as an alternative chemical immobilization method in non-human primates, with a safe application pathway and necessary relaxation. In order to determine the electrocardiographic parameters of Sapajus libidinosus after intramuscular tiletamine-zolazepam administration at the dose of 5 mg/kg, nine animals were submitted to anesthesia.

Methods: The interpretation of the electrocardiogram determined: heart rate in bpm and heart rhythm, P wave, P-R interval, R wave, QRS complex, T wave, Q-T interval, corrected QT interval and electrical axis. The mean HR was 206 ± 32 bpm.

Results: The majority of the monkeys showed normal sinus rhythm, but one animal showed sinus tachycardia. The most commonly observed electrical axis was between +30° and +90°. Two animals presented bigger alterations in the tracing such as low amplitude QRS and T wave bigger than 1/4 of the R wave.

Conclusions: The administration of tiletamine-zolazepam was safe and efficacious, with minimal cardiovascular effects.

Keywords: anesthesia; electrocardiogram; primate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anesthetics
  • Animals
  • Cebinae*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Electrocardiography / methods
  • Electrocardiography / veterinary*
  • Immobilization / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Reference Values
  • Tiletamine
  • Zolazepam

Substances

  • Anesthetics
  • Drug Combinations
  • tiletamine, zolazepam drug combination
  • Tiletamine
  • Zolazepam

Supplementary concepts

  • Sapajus libidinosus