• J Roigé and J Canet.
• Servicio de Anestesiología, Hospital de la Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona.
• Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim. 1996 Aug 1;43(7):249-54.

AbstractDesflurane is a new fluoride-only halogenated inhalational anesthetic. It differs from other halogenated anesthetics, in having a lower solubility in all tissues and greater molecular stability in all media. These traits mean, on the one band, that desflurane affords rapid achievement of depth of anesthesia, recovery and management during surgery, and on the other, that its potential toxicity is low and that it is safe for use in low flow circuits. The pharmacodynamic effects of desflurane are similar to those of isoflurane in the blood stream, airways and brain. Sympathetic hyperactivity with increased heart rate and arterial pressure may be triggered when concentration is increased quickly, but this effect is partially abolished when fentanyl is administered. Induction of anesthesia with desflurane causes irritation of the airways, particularly in children, and its use in pediatric surgery is therefore inadvisable. Desflurane potentiates the action of neuromuscular relaxants, much like isoflurane. Desflurane represents a step forward in the search for the ideal anesthetic.

19 keywords...

hide…