Haemodynamic responses to sevoflurane compared with halothane during inhalational induction in children

We studied the haemodynamic changes during induction of anaesthesia in 50 ASA I and II children (1–12 yrs) undergoing minor elective surgery. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive either halothane (n=25) or sevoflurane (n=25) in a mixture of O₂ and N₂O (40:60) for mask induction of anaesthesia. Induction of anaesthesia was performed with an overpressure technique by administering rapid increases of gas concentrations, in increments of 1% up to 7% for sevoflurane and of 0.5% up to 3% for halothane. Induction was smooth and rapid in both groups but characterized by increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure up to 20% especially in the sevoflurane group (P<0.05); these increases in the latter group were significant compared with baseline and the halothane group (P<0.05). No serious complications were observed. The authors conclude that more children experienced heart rate and blood pressure increases during the early stage of inhalational induction with sevoflurane compared with halothane.