Biochemical effects of succinylcholine chloride in mechanically ventilated horses anesthetized with halothane in oxygen.

Succinylcholine chloride administered to horses anesthetized with halothane in oxygen and mechanically ventilated, caused slight but statistically insignificant (P less than 0.01) increases in creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase activity. The increases in these enzymes have been explained on the basis of muscle damage resulting from succinylcholine chloride induced muscle fasciculations and by hypoperfusion of tissues due to depression of the cardiovascular system caused by general anesthesia. These changes were not clinically apparent based upon the absence of myoglobinuria and ease of recovery. There was no significant effect of treatment observed on other biochemical variables. The findings in the present study agree with previous observations on serum creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase activity.