Diego A Portela

Diego A Portela,

Assistant Professor – Anesthesiology

Department: Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine
Business Phone: (352) 392-2235
Business Email: dportela@ufl.edu

About Diego A Portela

Dr. Portela received his veterinary degree from the School of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina in 2002. In 2009, he obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Pisa in Italy, with a research focus on small animal regional anesthesia. From 2009 to 2013, he served as a post-doc and clinician in the Anesthesiology section of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Pisa in Italy. In 2016, Dr. Portela completed his residency in veterinary anesthesiology at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. He became an American Board-certified Veterinary Specialist in Anesthesia and Analgesia (Dip. ACVAA). In 2017, he joined the University of Florida as an Assistant Professor in anesthesiology. Dr. Portela’s research interests primarily revolve around locoregional anesthesia in small animals. He has contributed to the veterinary literature with numerous peer-reviewed publications and textbooks on the subject.

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Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2018-2024
VEM5473 Large Anim Anesthesio
2017-2024
VEM5861 Adv. Anesthesiology Clerkship
2017-2024
VEM5761 Core Clk Anesthesiol
2019-2020
VEM5402 Funda Soft Tiss Surg
2018-2024
VEM5470 Vet Anesthesiology
2018-2024
VEM5472 Small Anim Anesthesio
2021-2024
VEM5402L Introduction to Surgery Lab

Board Certifications

  • Diplomate
    American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia

Research Profile

Areas of Interest
  • Interventional pain medicine
  • Locoregional Anesthesia
  • Mechanical ventilation
  • Pain medicine
  • Respiratory physiology
Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

0000-0002-1796-9710

Publications

2024
Erector spinae plane block in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy: A prospective randomized clinical trial
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2024.02.002.
2024
Haemodynamic effects of labetalol in isoflurane-anaesthetized dogs that received dexmedetomidine: A randomized clinical trial
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 51(2):126-134 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.10.031.
2024
Retroperitoneal hematoma after dorsal quadratus lumborum block in two dogs.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 51(1):112-114 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.11.002. [PMID] 38042673.
2024
Ultrasound-guided and “blinded” sciatic nerve injection techniques: comparison in rat cadavers
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2024.03.001.
2024
Ultrasound-guided caudal quadratus lumborum block combined with the greater ischiatic notch plane block as motor-protective analgesia for the pelvic limb in dogs
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 51(1):97-106 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.11.001.
2024
Ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block in Wistar rat cadavers: Relevant anatomy and injection distribution.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 51(2):173-180 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.11.010. [PMID] 38233268.
2024
Use of an esophageal Doppler monitor to guide goal-directed cardiovascular optimization in two anesthetized Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla).
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 51(2):192-194 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2024.01.001. [PMID] 38296767.
2023
A non-inferiority study comparing the ultrasound-guided parasacral with a novel greater ischiatic notch plane approach in canine cadavers
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 50(5):439-445 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.05.003.
2023
A quantitative evaluation of the effect of foreign body obstruction and enterectomy technique on canine small intestinal microvascular health.
Veterinary surgery : VS. 52(4):554-563 [DOI] 10.1111/vsu.13949. [PMID] 36882020.
2023
A single-cohort retrospective analysis of factors associated with morbidity and mortality in 193 anesthetized domestic goats.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 50(3):245-254 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.02.003. [PMID] 36906401.
2023
Effect of end-inspiratory pause on airway and physiological dead space in anesthetized horses
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 50(4):363-371 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.03.002.
2023
Endoscopic application of fibrin glue may be a feasible method of treatment for postintubation tracheal lacerations in cats.
American journal of veterinary research. 84(3):1-5 [DOI] 10.2460/ajvr.22.08.0137. [PMID] 36716126.
2023
Greater ischiatic notch plane block combined with a femoral lateral pre-iliac block in a goat undergoing pelvic limb amputation.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 50(6):534-536 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.09.070. [PMID] 37833185.
2023
Lumbosacral plexus block using a combination of ultrasound-guided lateral pre-iliac and parasacral approaches in cats.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 50(2):188-196 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.01.003. [PMID] 36775670.
2023
Quadratus lumborum block as part of multimodal analgesia in a rabbit undergoing liver lobectomy.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 50(6):530-532 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.08.009. [PMID] 37777467.
2023
Sedated cesarean sections are associated with increased kid survival compared to general anesthesia in goats: retrospective cohort of 45 cases (2011-2021).
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 261(3):391-396 [DOI] 10.2460/javma.22.10.0466. [PMID] 36595366.
2023
Ultrasound-guided lateral pericapsular hip desensitization of the articular branches of the cranial gluteal nerve: A canine cadaveric study and feasibility study in dogs
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 50(6):507-516 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.08.008.
2022
Clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block for standing lumbar spinous osteotomy in a horse.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 49(5):517-519 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2022.06.001. [PMID] 35764459.
2022
Electrolocation-guided pudendal nerve block in a goat undergoing perineal urethrostomy.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 49(2):224-226 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2022.01.007. [PMID] 35184949.
2022
Erector spinae plane block at the thoracolumbar spine: a canine cadaveric study.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 49(6):656-663 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2022.07.008. [PMID] 36050209.
2022
Functional components of the tidal volume obtained with volumetric capnography in an anesthetized Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla).
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 49(5):519-521 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2022.06.006. [PMID] 35922278.
2022
Incidence of dural sac puncture during neuraxial anesthesia in cats: an observational, retrospective study.
Journal of feline medicine and surgery. 24(4):398-401 [DOI] 10.1177/1098612X211021292. [PMID] 34096380.
2022
Pericapsular hip desensitization in dogs: a cadaveric study and case series
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 49(6):664-673 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2022.08.001.
2022
Ultrasound-guided and nerve stimulator-assisted sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks in a goat undergoing tarsal fracture repair.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 49(6):676-677 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2022.09.001. [PMID] 36182643.
2021
Accidental placement of an epidural catheter into the subarachnoid space in a dog.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(5):813-815 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.06.004. [PMID] 34266760.
2021
Comparison between two approaches for the transversus abdominis plane block in canine cadavers.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(1):101-106 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.09.005. [PMID] 33243613.
2021
Evaluation of electrical nerve stimulation to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in dogs.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(4):612-616 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.12.008. [PMID] 34092497.
2021
Evaluation of the effect of ultrasound guidance on the accuracy of intercostal nerve injection: a canine cadaveric study.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(2):256-263 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.12.003. [PMID] 33583728.
2021
Lumbosacral plexus block in a goat undergoing pelvic limb amputation.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(1):151-152 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.09.002. [PMID] 33168449.
2021
The effect of erector spinae plane block on perioperative analgesic consumption and complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery: a retrospective cohort study.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(1):116-124 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.10.005. [PMID] 33277182.
2021
Thoracic paravertebral block for an opioid-free thoracotomy in a dog.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(4):622-623 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.03.004. [PMID] 34006494.
2021
Transversal approach to the canine lumbar erector spinae plane block: returning to the dissecting room.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(5):811-813 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.06.001. [PMID] 34244070.
2021
Transversus abdominis plane block in cat cadavers: anatomical description and comparison of injectate spread using two- and three-point approaches.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(3):432-441 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.02.002. [PMID] 33745824.
2021
Use of a lateral ultrasound-guided approach for the proximal radial, ulnar, median and musculocutaneous (RUMM) nerve block in a small dog undergoing distal humerus fracture repair.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(5):815-817 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.06.013. [PMID] 34312080.
2021
Use of a thoracic paravertebral catheter to control severe trauma-related pain in a dog.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 48(5):809-811 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.05.001. [PMID] 34219015.
2020
A novel ultrasound-guided lateral quadratus lumborum block in dogs: a comparative cadaveric study of two approaches.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 47(6):810-818 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.08.003. [PMID] 32981838.
2020
Anesthesia Case of the Month.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 256(11):1219-1222 [DOI] 10.2460/javma.256.11.1219. [PMID] 32412881.
2020
Description of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block technique and evaluation of injectate spread in canine cadavers.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 47(2):249-258 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.12.005. [PMID] 32014397.
2020
Development of a lateral ultrasound-guided approach for the proximal radial, ulnar, median and musculocutaneous (RUMM) nerve block in cats.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 47(5):686-693 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.04.008. [PMID] 32739251.
2020
Mechanism of action of the erector spinae plane block: distribution of dye in a porcine model
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine. 45(3):198-203 [DOI] 10.1136/rapm-2019-100964.
2020
Mirroring artefact during postoperative transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in two dogs.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 47(5):727-728 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.05.003. [PMID] 32653166.
2020
Positive color flow Doppler test used to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural injection in a dog.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 47(2):280-281 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.12.004. [PMID] 31983555.
2020
Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in canine cadavers: relevant anatomy and injectate distribution.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 47(2):229-237 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.10.005. [PMID] 31980367.
2020
Use of distal radial, ulnar, median and musculocutaneous (RUMM) nerve blocks in a Huacaya alpaca undergoing radial fracture repair.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 47(5):734-736 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2020.04.011. [PMID] 32651059.
2019
Changes in serum cortisol and blood glucose concentrations in anesthetized, pain-free dogs administered fentanyl.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 46(4):488-491 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.04.007. [PMID] 31151873.
2019
Locoregional Anesthesia of the Thoracic Limbs and Thorax in Small Animals.
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice. 49(6):1063-1083 [DOI] 10.1016/j.cvsm.2019.07.002. [PMID] 31492541.
2018
Hemodynamic effects of MK-467 following intravenous administration to isoflurane-anesthetized cats concurrently receiving dexmedetomidine.
American journal of veterinary research. 79(7):711-717 [DOI] 10.2460/ajvr.79.7.711. [PMID] 29943632.
2018
In response to ‘Stress-related biomarkers in dogs administered regional anaesthesia or fentanyl for analgesia during stifle surgery’: A comment.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 45(3):399-400 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2018.01.006. [PMID] 29625918.
2018
Regional anesthetic techniques for the pelvic limb and abdominal wall in small animals: A review of the literature and technique description
The Veterinary Journal. 238:27-40 [DOI] 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.07.003.
2018
Regional anesthetic techniques for the pelvic limb and abdominal wall in small animals: A review of the literature and technique description
. 241:8-19
2018
Regional anesthetic techniques for the thoracic limb and thorax in small animals: A review of the literature and technique description
The Veterinary Journal. 241:8-19 [DOI] 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.09.006.
2017
Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral injection in dogs: a cadaveric study.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 44(3):636-645 [DOI] 10.1016/j.vaa.2016.05.012. [PMID] 28526487.
2016
Prevention of laryngospasm with rocuronium in cats: a dose-finding study.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 43(5):511-8 [DOI] 10.1111/vaa.12342. [PMID] 26872141.
2016
Sonographic evaluation of epidural and intrathecal injections in cats.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 43(6):652-661 [DOI] 10.1111/vaa.12361. [PMID] 26915679.
2016
Stress-related biomarkers in dogs administered regional anaesthesia or fentanyl for analgesia during stifle surgery.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 43(1):44-54 [DOI] 10.1111/vaa.12275. [PMID] 25996102.
2015
Accuracy of different oxygenation indices in estimating intrapulmonary shunting at increasing infusion rates of dobutamine in horses under general anaesthesia.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997). 204(3):351-6 [DOI] 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.04.002. [PMID] 25920771.
2015
Effects of rocuronium bromide on globe position and respiratory function in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs: a comparison between three different dosages.
Veterinary ophthalmology. 18(2):89-94 [DOI] 10.1111/vop.12108. [PMID] 24131770.
2015
The use of a nerve stimulation test to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 42(1):115-8 [DOI] 10.1111/vaa.12173. [PMID] 24815095.
2014
Retrospective clinical evaluation of ultrasound guided transverse abdominis plane block in dogs undergoing mastectomy.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 41(3):319-24 [DOI] 10.1111/vaa.12122. [PMID] 24754569.
2014
The use of electrical stimulation to guide epidural and intrathecal needle advancement at the L5 -L6 intervertebral space in dogs.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 41(5):543-7 [DOI] 10.1111/vaa.12137. [PMID] 24628834.
2014
Use of electrical nerve stimulation to monitor lumbosacral epidural needle placement in cats.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 41(3):325-9 [PMID] 24877197.
2013
Femoral nerve block: a novel psoas compartment lateral pre-iliac approach in dogs.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 40(2):194-204 [DOI] 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00765.x. [PMID] 22765834.
2013
Peripheral nerve stimulation under ultrasonographic control to determine the needle-to-nerve relationship.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 40(6):e91-9 [DOI] 10.1111/vaa.12066. [PMID] 23829787.
2013
Regional anaesthesia in a dog with a traumatic lesion of the abdominal wall
. 5(1):85-97
2013
Sevoflurane anesthesia in dogs under closed circuit system
. 5(1):6-16
2013
Ultrasound guided mid-humeral block of the radial, ulnar, median and musculocutaneous (RUMM block) nerves in a dog with traumatic exposed metacarpal luxation.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 40(5):552-4 [DOI] 10.1111/vaa.12046. [PMID] 23710939.
2012
Anatomical and radiological study of the thoracic paravertebral space in dogs: iohexol distribution pattern and use of the nerve stimulator.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 39(4):398-408 [DOI] 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00729.x. [PMID] 22642438.
2012
Evaluation of the endotracheal tube cuff pressure resulting from four different methods of inflation in dogs.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 39(5):488-94 [DOI] 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00719.x. [PMID] 22642369.
2012
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of zolpidem after oral administration of a single dose in dogs.
American journal of veterinary research. 73(10):1650-6 [PMID] 23013193.
2012
Use of electrical stimulation to monitor lumbosacral epidural and intrathecal needle placement in rabbits.
American journal of veterinary research. 73(8):1137-41 [DOI] 10.2460/ajvr.73.8.1137. [PMID] 22849672.
2010
Combined paravertebral plexus block and parasacral sciatic block in healthy dogs.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. 37(6):531-41 [DOI] 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2010.00572.x. [PMID] 21040377.
2010
Continuous positive airway pressure administered via face mask in tranquilized dogs.
Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001). 20(5):503-8 [DOI] 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2010.00579.x. [PMID] 20955301.
2008
Nerve stimulator-guided paravertebral lumbar plexus anaesthesia in dogs.
Veterinary research communications. 32 Suppl 1:S307-10 [DOI] 10.1007/s11259-008-9135-x. [PMID] 18709436.
2007
Epidural tramadol in a dog: case report
. 209-214
2006
Lumbosacral plexus anaesthesia: proximal peripheral loco-regional technique in dogs
. 237-244
2005
Evaluation of anaesthesia complication in dogs: a retrospective 3 years study
. 287-293

Grants

Jan 2024 ACTIVE
Using AI to Measure Pain
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: INTL VETERINARY ACADEMY OF PAIN MGMT
Jul 2021 ACTIVE
Development of regional anesthesia techniques to treat chronic painful conditions of the stifle and elbow in dogs canine cadaveric study
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: AMER KENNEL CLUB CANINE HLTH FOU
Jan 2020 – Dec 2022
Assessing Microvasculature for Intestinal Viability in Obstructed Small Intestines and Effects of Resection & Anastomosis Techniques on Microvasculature Using GlycoCheckTM
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: AMER KENNEL CLUB CANINE HLTH FOU

Education

Residency in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
2013-2016 · Cornell University
Post-doctorate veterinary anesthesiology
2009-2012 · Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Pisa (Italy)
Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, Ph.D
2005-2009 · Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Pisa (Italy)
Veterinarian
2002 · Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 392-2235
Emails:
Business:
dportela@ufl.edu
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
PO Box 100123
GAINESVILLE FL 32610