FRCA Notes

The Ideal Inhaled Anaesthetic Agent

  • Long shelf life
  • Chemically stable in light and heat
  • Inert in contact with metal, rubber and soda lime
  • No additives or preservatives
  • Atmospherically friendly and inexpensive
  • Not flammable or explosive
  • Non-irritant and with a pleasant smell

  • Liquid at room temperature
  • High SVP for easy vaporisation
  • Low latent heat of vaporisation
  • Low specific heat capacity
  • Does not interact with other drugs

  • Low blood-gas partition coefficient
  • High oil-gas partition coefficient (i.e. low MAC)
  • Not metabolised
  • Excreted by the lungs

Respiratory

  • Bronchodilator
  • Non-irritant

Cardiovascular

  • No cardiovascular effects

Neurological

  • Smooth, rapid induction
  • Some analgesic properties
  • Not epileptogenic
  • No increase in CBF, CMRO2, ICP or IOP
  • Rapidly reversible

Gastrointestinal

  • Anti-emetic properties

Other

  • No adverse hepatic, renal or endocrine effects
  • Safe in pregnancy and paediatric patients