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Inhaled Anesthetics

The discovery of inhaled anesthesia reflects the contributions of clinicians and scientists in the United States and England. The most commonly used inhaled anesthetics in modern anesthesia include volatile liquids (i.e., halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane) and a single gas (i.e., nitrous oxide). Halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane are no longer commonly used. Yet, none of these inhaled anesthetics meets all the criteria of an “ideal” inhaled anesthetic, and the chemical characteristics differ among the drugs.

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Articles of Interest

Anaesthesia - introduction to anaesthetic drugs

These notes are intended as an introduction to some of the commonly used anaesthetic agents and techniques used in PICU. They are guidelines only and do not replace the more comprehensive texts available, or the need for skilled assistance from senior colleagues.

Anesthetic Gases: Principles

The mechanism of action of inhalational anesthetics has not been completely elucidated. Broadly, they are postulated to enhance inhibitory receptors (GABAAand glycine) while dampening excitatory pathways (nicotinic and glutamate). Unspecified mechanisms also include suppression of nociceptive motor responses within the spinal cord, as well as supraspinal suppression causing amnesia and hypnotic state.

Anesthetics: from modes of action to unconsciousness and neurotoxicity

Modern anesthetic compounds and advanced monitoring tools have revolutionized the field of medicine, allowing for complex surgical procedures to occur safely and effectively. Faster induction times and quicker recovery periods of current anesthetic agents have also helped reduce health care costs significantly.

Climate effect of inhaled anaesthetics

Almost all areas of human activity have the potential to influence climate. The administration of inhalation anaesthetics is one such activity.

Inhalational Anaesthetics: An Update on Mechanisms of Action and Toxicity

Inhalational anaesthetics have been used for induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia for more than 150 years. In human medicine desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane are commonly used. All of them are fluorinated ether derivatives. Isoflurane is also chlorinated.

Inhaled Anesthetics (Pharmacology)

Surrogate measures of pain suggest that, with the exception of nitrous oxide, inhaled anesthetics do not provide any significant analgesia. They do, however, produce immobility and amnesia. Other than nitrous oxide (which increases skeletal muscle tone), inhaled anesthetics either do not affect, or in some cases lower skeletal muscle tone.

Modern inhalation anesthetics: Potent greenhouse gases in the global atmosphere

Modern halogenated inhalation anesthetics undergo little metabolization during clinical application and evaporate almost completely to the atmosphere.

Resources

Pocket Anesthesia Reference Card

Card design by providers from many institutions...