Desflurane

What is Desflurane?

• Volatile inhaled anesthetic agent used for maintenance of general anesthesia. Not often used for induction of anesthesia due to airway irritant properties.
• It is synthetic, colourless and non-flammable
• Has a more rapid onset than other volatile agents such as sevoflurane and isoflurane while also having the shortest time to emergence.

Mechanism of Action & Pharmacokinetics ^{1 2}

• There is no confirmed mechanism of action
• Theories include possible activity on GABA receptors, calcium channels, or glutamate

  Pharmacodynamics ^{1 2}

  Cardiovascular

• Peripheral vasodilatory effects leading to a decrease in blood pressure, occasionally there is also an increase in heart rate.

  Respiratory

• More likely to elicit airway irritation symptoms such as coughing and laryngospasm compared to SevofluraneSevoflurane
  What is Sevoflurane?
  
  Volatile inhaled anesthetic agent used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia.
  It is synthetic, colourless and non-flammable
  
  
  Mechanism of Action & Pharm... due to high pungency, therefore is not often used for induction of anesthesia.

  Other

• Known to produce uterine relaxation which can be used in specific cases such as retained placenta but can be detrimental during other procedures such as a D&C.

Indications ¹

• Used for maintenance of general anesthesia. Not often used for induction of anesthesia due to airway irritation.
• Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) is used to compare the potencies between various volatile agents.

Complications ^{1 2}

• Should not be used for anesthetic management in patients with known history of malignant hyperthermia or suspected susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia.
• Increased incidence of post-operative agitation and excitement in pediatric patients.

References