Abstract: Objective To compare the effects of two anesthetic procedures on the establishment of a rhesus monkey model of acute cerebral infarction. Methods Sixteen male rhesus monkeys were randomized into 2 groups:propofol group (group P), propofol + dexmedetomidine group (group PD). Sumianxin injection combined with 0.1 mL/kg ketamine was given before endotracheal intubation. After intubation, the animals received mechanical ventilation. In Group P, anesthesia was maintained with propofol infusion. In Group PD, anesthesia was maintained with propofol and dexmedetomidine infusion. Sumianxin-ketamine could be given if necessary to maintain adequate anesthesia depth. The infusion of anaesthetics was stopped after the establishment of model of the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery occlusion. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination was performed after the recovery of animal spontaneous breathing. Intraoperative hemodynamic changes, recovery time of spontaneous breathing, additional volume of sumianxin-ketamine mixture, the dosage of propofol, and the incidence of anesthesia related complications were recorded. Results All models survived more than 24 h after the onset of ischemia. No serious complications such as restlessness, respiratory depression, arrhythmia occurred in 16 rhesus monkeys. The hemodynamic indexes, body temperature, and arterial blood gas analysis of 16 rhesus monkeys were in normal range. The hemodynamic indexes, body temperature, and arterial blood gas analysis showed insignificant difference between the two groups at different intervals (P>0.05). All the 16 monkeys awoke in 30 min after the experiment. The spontaneous breathing recovery time of the two groups showed insignificant difference(P>0.05). Compared with the group P, the dosage of propofol and the volume of sumianxin-ketamine mixture were lower than that in the group PD (P<0.05). Conclusion Two anesthetic procedures are feasible and easy to control the anesthesia depth,which are safe to anesthetize rhesus monkey for the establishment of a model of acute cerebral infarction. Dexmedetomidine can reduce the dosage of propofol as well as mixture of ketamine and sumianxin during the establishment of the model.

Key words: rhesus monkeys, middle cerebral artery occlusion, total intravenous anesthesia, propofol, dexmedetomidine