Local anesthetics inhibit endothelium-dependent vasodilation

The effect of local anesthetics on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation was determined using isolated rat thoracic aorta. Endothelium-intact rat aortic rings were mounted for isometric tension recording. Cumulative concentration-dependent vascular relaxation responses to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators methacholine (1 x 10(-8) to 3 x 10(-5) M), the calcium ionophore A23187 (1 x 10(-8) to 3 x 10(-7) M) and the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (1 x 10(-9) to 1 x 10(-7) M) were determined in the presence or absence of bupivacaine, lidocaine, etidocaine, or 2-chloroprocaine (1 x 10(-4) M). All of the local anesthetics studied significantly (P less than 0.05) inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxations to the receptor-mediated methacholine and the nonreceptor-mediated A23187. Bupivacaine was more potent (P less than 0.01) than the other three anesthetics tested. Direct, endothelium-independent vasodilation by sodium nitroprusside was not affected. The local anesthetics appear to exert their inhibitory effect on endothelium-dependent vasodilation at a site distal to receptor activation at the endothelial cell and proximal to guanylate cyclase activation in the vascular smooth muscle.     

Volatile Anesthetics Affect Calcium Mobilization in Bovine Endothelial Cells

Background: The site where volatile anesthetics inhibit endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation is unclear. To determine whether anesthetics could limit endothelium-dependent nitric oxide production by inhibiting receptor-mediated increases in cytosolic Calcium2+, experiments were performed to see if the inhalational anesthetics halothane, isoflurane, and enflurane affect intracellular Calcium2+ ([Ca2+]i) transients induced by the agonists bradykinin and adenosine triphosphate in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells.

Methods: Bovine aortic endothelial cells, which had been loaded with the fluorescent Calcium2+ indicator Fura-2, were added to medium preequilibrated with volatile anesthetic (1.25% and 2.5% for isoflurane, 1.755 and 3.5% for enflurane, and 0.75% and 1.5% for halothane). In Calcium2+ -containing medium, intracellular Calcium sup 2+ transients were elicited in response to bradykinin (10 nM and 1 micro Meter) or adenosine triphosphate (1 micro Meter and 100 micro Meter).

Results: Both bradykinin and adenosine triphosphate triggered a rapid rise to peak [Ca2+]i followed by a gradual decline to a plateau above the resting level. Although basal [Ca2+]i was unaltered by the anesthetics, both halothane and enflurane, in a dose-dependent manner, depressed the peak and plateau of the [Ca2+] sub i transient elicited by 10 nM bradykinin, whereas isoflurane had no effect. When [Ca2+]i transients were elicited by 1 micro Meter bradykinin, halothane (1% and 5%) did not alter peak and plateau levels. Halothane and enflurane also decreased [Ca2+]i transients evoked by 1 micro Meter and 100 micro Meter adenosine triphosphate, whereas isoflurane also had no effect in this setting.     

Effects of Volatile Anesthetics on Acetylcholine-induced Relaxation in the Rabbit Mesenteric Resistance Artery

Background: Vascular endothelium plays an important role in the regulation of vascular tone. Volatile anesthetics have been shown to attenuate endothelium-mediated relaxation in conductance arteries, such as aorta. However, significant differences in volatile anesthetic pharmacology between these large vessels and the small vessels that regulate systemic vascular resistance and blood flow have been documented, yet little is known about volatile anesthetic action on endothelial function in resistance arteries. Furthermore, endothelium-dependent relaxation mediated by factors other than endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) has recently been recognized, and there is no information available regarding volatile anesthetic action on non-EDRF-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation.

Methods: Employing isometric tension recording and microelectrode methods, the authors first characterized the endothelium-dependent relaxing and hyperpolarizing actions of acetylcholine (ACh) in rabbit small mesenteric arteries, and tested the sensitivities of these actions to EDRF pathway inhibitors and Potassium sup + channel blockers. They then examined the effects of the volatile anesthetics isoflurane, enflurane, and sevoflurane on ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation that was sensitive to EDRF inhibitors and that which was resistant to the EDRF inhibitors but sensitive to blockers of ACh-induced hyperpolarization. The effects of the volatile anesthetics on endothelium-independent sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced relaxation were also studied.

Results: Acetylcholine concentration-dependently caused both endothelium-dependent relaxation and hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle. The relaxation elicited by low concentrations of ACh (less or equal to 0.1 micro Meter) was almost completely abolished by the EDRF inhibitors NG -nitro L-arginine (LNNA), oxyhemoglobin (HbO sub 2), and methylene blue (MB). The relaxation elicited by higher concentrations of ACh (greater or equal to 0.3 micro Meter) was only attenuated by the EDRF inhibitors. The remaining relaxation, as well as the ACh-induced hyperpolarization that was also resistant to EDRF inhibitors, were both specifically blocked by tetraethylammonium (TEA greater or equal to 10 mM). Sodium nitroprusside, a NO donor, produced dose-dependent relaxation, but not hyperpolarization, in the endothelium-denuded (E[-]) strips, and the relaxation was inhibited by MB and HbO2, but not TEA (greater or equal to 10 mM). One MAC isoflurane, enflurane, and sevoflurane inhibited both ACh relaxation that was sensitive to the EDRF inhibitors and the ACh relaxation resistant to the EDRF inhibitors and sensitive to TEA, but not SNP relaxation (in the E[-] strips). An additional finding was that the anesthetics all significantly inhibited norepinephrine (NE) contractions in the presence and absence of the endothelium or after exposure to the EDRF inhibitors.     

Halothane and isoflurane inhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation elicited by acetylcholine.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether volatile anesthetics modify the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. We examined the effects of halothane and isoflurane on endothelium-dependent relaxation and 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate formation elicited by acetylcholine and ionophore A23187 in isolated rat aorta. Halothane and isoflurane (1%-2%) significantly attenuated acetylcholine-induced relaxation of the phenylephrine-contracted aorta but had no significant effect on relaxation induced by A23187, nitroprusside, and nitroglycerin. Basal and A23187 (10(-7) M)-stimulated levels of 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate were slightly lowered by halothane and isoflurane (2%). In contrast, the increase of 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate elicited by acetylcholine (10(-5) M) was significantly attenuated by halothane (2%) and abolished by isoflurane (2%). These findings indicate that halothane and isoflurane strongly inhibit the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor elicited by acetylcholine.     

Comparative effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane at equipotent anesthetic concentrations on isolated ventricular myocardium of the ferret. II. Relaxation

The effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on myocardial relaxation were compared in papillary muscles of the right ventricle of adult male ferrets at 30 degrees C. The sensitivity of cardiac relaxation to the loading conditions was determined by examining the time course of relaxation before, during, and after exposure to incremental concentrations of halothane (n = 9 muscles), enflurane (n = 9 muscles), and isoflurane (n = 9 muscles) in steps of 0.25 MAC up to 1.5 MAC of halothane and of enflurane and up to 2.0 MAC of isoflurane. Load sensitivity of relaxation was quantified by comparing force and time coordinates at the onset of the isometric relaxation phase in several afterloaded isotonic twitch contractions with relaxation of the isometric twitch. Load sensitivity of relaxation, which is of particular benefit during early rapid filling of the heart, was decreased in a dose-dependent reversible fashion by halothane, enflurane, and, to a lesser extent, by isoflurane. These anesthetics abbreviated isometric relaxation, yet prolonged the time course of muscle lengthening which is suggestive of an impairment of calcium uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum and of a decrease in calcium sensitivity of the contractile proteins.     

Comparative effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane at equipotent anesthetic concentrations on isolated ventricular myocardium of the ferret. I. Contractility

The effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on myocardial contractility were compared in papillary muscles of the right ventricle of adult male ferrets at 30 degrees C. Isotonic and isometric variables of contractility were measured before, during, and after exposure to incremental concentrations of halothane (n = 9 muscles), enflurane (n = 9 muscles), and isoflurane (n = 9 muscles), in steps of 0.25 MAC up to 1.5 MAC of halothane and of enflurane, and up to 2.0 MAC of isoflurane. Each of the three anesthetics caused a dose-dependent reversible decrease in contractility. The onset of maximal myofibrillar activation was delayed in a dose-dependent manner, and time to peak shortening of the isotonic preloaded twitch was unchanged, except for a slight decrease at greater than 1 MAC of enflurane. Isoflurane's negative inotropic effects were clearly less than those of either halothane or enflurane. Comparison of the time course of contraction and relaxation in both isometric and isotonic twitches suggests that, in addition to effects on intracellular calcium availability, these anesthetics decrease the myofibrillar responsiveness to calcium and/or the calcium sensitivity of the contractile proteins.     

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor is not responsible for inhibition of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by inhalational anesthetics

Inhalational anesthetics inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). One mechanism suggested for this action is stimulation of release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. The present study has tested this hypothesis. These studies were performed in 66 ventilated and perfused isolated rat lungs. There were three study protocols. Study 1 examined the effect of HPV of the inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase by methylene blue (MB). In the presence or absence of MB, the lungs constricted to hypoxia with pulmonary artery pressure increases of 8.6 +/- 0.2 cmH2O and 11.5 +/- 0.4 cmH2O, respectively, and halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane caused a reversible 50% decrease in the pulmonary pressor response, but acetylcholine (ACh) was vasodilatory in the saline group and vasoconstrictor in the MB group. In Study II a dose-response curve was established for the potent stimulator (Sin 1) of the enzyme guanylate cyclase. In the presence of MB the dose-response curve for Sin 1 was shifted to the right with an increase in the ED50 for Sin 1 from 44 microM for the control to 85 microM for the MB group. In Study III, baseline pulmonary artery pressure was increased with U46619, and the hypoxic pressor response was increased (28.9 +/- 2.5 cmH2O), but halothane again caused a 50% decrease (11.0 +/- 1.8 cmH2O) in the response to hypoxia. In summary, when soluble guanylate cyclase activity is inhibited by MB, the inhibition of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by halothane, isoflurane, or enflurane was unaltered, and release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is therefore not an essential mechanism underlying this action.     

Does halothane or isoflurane affect hypoxic and post‐hypoxic vascular response in rabbit aorta?

BACKGROUND: Halothane and isoflurane affect differently endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation at 95% O2. In addition, hypoxic vascular response might involve endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Therefore, we investigated, in rabbit aortic rings, 1) the influence of halothane and isoflurane on vasodilation at 95% O2 and on hypoxic-induced vasorelaxation at 0% O2 and 2) the influence of halothane and isoflurane on endothelium-dependent and -independent post-hypoxic vascular response. METHODS: Endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded rabbit aortic rings were used. Phenylephrine precontracted rings were exposed, at 95% O2, to acetylcholine (ACh, 10(-9) to 10(-4) M) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10(-9) to 10(-4) M) in the presence or absence of anaesthetic at 1 or 2 MAC. Precontracted rings were also exposed to an acute reduction in O2 from 95% to 0% followed by an acute reoxygenation with 95% O2 in the absence or presence of anaesthetic at 1 or 2 MAC. RESULTS: At 95% O2, halothane decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh, while endothelium-independent relaxation to SNP was decreased only at 2 MAC. Isoflurane did not modify ACh- or SNP-induced relaxation. At 0% O2, neither halothane nor isoflurane altered the hypoxic vascular relaxation. Post-hypoxic response was not changed either. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that halothane and isoflurane do not alter vascular hypoxic response in conductance arteries.     

Effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on coronary blood flow autoregulation and coronary vascular reserve in the canine heart

To investigate the effects of volatile anesthetics on coronary blood flow (CBF) autoregulation and coronary vascular reserve, studies were performed on chronically instrumented dogs, awake and during the administration of 1.0 MAC halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane. Coronary pressure-flow plots were generated by measuring left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow while varying coronary inflow pressure with a hydraulic occluder. Autoregulation was quantitated by two measures: the slope of the horizontal "autoregulated" portion of the pressure-flow relationship and the autoregulation index (ArI) of Norris. Slope values (ml.min-1.mmHg-1 +/- SD) were: awake, 0.243 +/- 0.043; halothane, 0.414 +/- 0.044; enflurane, 0.587 +/- 0.187; and isoflurane, 0.795 +/- 0.246. The increase in slope was statistically significant only for halothane and isoflurane (P less than .05). The ArI approaches 1.0 when autoregulation is perfect, and approaches zero or is a negative number when autoregulation is absent. The authors found ArI values of: awake, 0.55; halothane, -0.08; enflurane, -0.01; isoflurane, -0.02. These values indicate good autoregulation while awake, but impaired autoregulation with all three anesthetics (P less than .05). Coronary vascular reserve was calculated, at a diastolic coronary pressure of 40 mmHg, as the difference between resting flow and flow during maximal coronary vasodilation induced by intracoronary adenosine. Coronary vascular reserve, maximal coronary conductance, and coronary zero-flow pressure were not significantly altered by these anesthetics. The authors conclude that 1.0 MAC enflurane, halothane, and isoflurane mildly disrupt CBF autoregulation, increasing CBF out of proportion to myocardial demands. Under the conditions of this study, these anesthetics do not affect maximal CBF or coronary vascular reserve.     

Halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane depress the peripheral vagal motor pathway in isolated canine tracheal smooth muscle

Volatile anesthetics are potent bronchodilators, but the site of action for the dilation is unclear. To determine the site of action of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on the peripheral vagal motor pathway, isolated strips of canine trachealis muscle were stimulated before and during exposure to halothane at 0.3, 1.0, 1.7, or 2.4 MAC, enflurane at 1 MAC, or isoflurane at 1 MAC. The sites and methods of stimulation were: 1) postsynaptic nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the intramural parasympathetic ganglia, with 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium iodide (DMPP); 2) postganglionic cholinergic nerve fibers, with electrical field stimulation (EFS); and 3) muscarinic cholinergic receptors of the smooth muscle, with acetylcholine (ACh). The concentration-response curve to DMPP was significantly shifted to the right by 0.3 MAC halothane, whereas 0.3 MAC halothane had no significant effect on the concentration-response curves to ACh and EFS. At concentrations greater than 1 MAC of halothane, enflurane, or isoflurane, concentration-response curves to all three stimuli were shifted significantly to the right; i.e., the contractile responses to ACh, EFS, and DMPP were reduced. At all concentrations of halothane the force of contraction was significantly more reduced during stimulation with DMPP than during stimulation with ACh, and at halothane concentrations greater than or equal to 1.7 MAC the response to EFS was significantly more reduced than that to ACh. We conclude that halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane attenuated airway constriction by several mechanisms, including 1) reduced excitability of the postsynaptic nicotinic receptors of the intramural parasympathetic ganglia and 2) an effect on the smooth muscle and/or on the muscarinic receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of guanylate cyclase-cGMP systems in halothane-induced vasodilation in canine cerebral arteries.

The cellular mechanisms through which halothane dilates blood vessels remain largely unknown. The present studies were designed to determine the effects of 0.59 and 0.9 mM halothane (equivalent to 2.0% and 3.0%, respectively) on tissue cyclic guanosine 3,5-monophosphate (cGMP) level and guanylate cyclase enzyme activity in canine middle cerebral arteries. Rings of cerebral arteries preconstricted with 5-hydroxytryptamine (0.2 microM) were exposed for 15 min to low or high concentrations of halothane or for 5 min to sodium nitroprusside (50 microM). The vessels were instantaneously frozen by immersing them in liquid N2; they then were homogenized, and the tissue cGMP levels were determined using radioimmunoassay. Halothane produced 2.23 +/- 0.44- and 4.47 +/- 0.87-fold increases in tissue cGMP levels over control at 0.59 and 0.9 mM, respectively. Sodium nitroprusside, a nitrovasodilator, also increased the tissue cGMP level 7.80 +/- 1.36-fold over the control value. To understand better the mechanisms of halothane-induced increase of tissue cGMP level, the effects of this anesthetic agent on guanylate cyclase enzyme activity were examined. Halothane, unlike sodium nitroprusside, did not modulate the activity of the soluble guanylate cyclase enzyme. However, halothane (1.0 mM), like atrial natriuretic factor (5 microM), stimulated the particulate guanylate cyclase enzyme activity. LY-83583 (6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione, 10 microM), an agent that inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase activity, significantly reduced the response of the vessels to calcium ionophore (A23187, 0.4 microM), an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, without producing a significant effect on halothane-induced vasodilation. These results suggest that halothane-induced vasodilation of cerebral blood vessels is partly mediated by an increase in tissue cGMP levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Response of the heart to acute hypertension during halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane anesthesia

In the open chest dog model, the response of the left ventricle exposed to acute mechanical hypertension was evaluated while the animals were receiving various concentrations of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane. Myocardial contractility was quantified by the end-systolic pressure-length relation (ESPL). When the mean aortic pressure was increased by 40% above the control value for a given concentration of inhalation agent, the end-diastolic volume increased and thereby maintained stroke work. However, as the end-tidal concentrations of the anesthetics increased, this compensatory mechanism became progressively more ineffective as a result of myocardial depression caused by the anesthetics. No evidence could be found of an improvement in myocardial contractility as the aortic pressure was increased. Mild depression of myocardial contractility could be demonstrated for 1.1 MAC halothane, 0.6 MAC enflurane, and 1.0 MAC isoflurane. Severe depression of contractility occurred at 2.3 MAC halothane, 1.2 MAC enflurane, and 1.5 MAC isoflurane.     

Comparison of the systemic and coronary hemodynamic actions of desflurane, isoflurane, halothane, and enflurane in the chronically instrumented dog

The systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of desflurane were compared to those of isoflurane, halothane, and enflurane in chronically instrumented dogs. Since autonomic nervous system function may significantly influence the hemodynamic actions of anesthetics in vivo, a series of experiments also was performed in the presence of pharmacologic blockade of the autonomic nervous system. Eight groups comprising a total of 80 experiments were performed on 10 dogs instrumented for measurement of aortic and left ventricular pressure, the peak rate of increase of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt), subendocardial segment length, coronary blood flow velocity, and cardiac output. Systemic and coronary hemodynamics were recorded in the conscious state and after 30 min equilibration at 1.25 and 1.75 MAC desflurane, isoflurane, halothane, and enflurane. Desflurane (+79 +/- 12% change from control) produced greater increases in heart rate than did halothane (+44 +/- 12% change from control) or enflurane (+44 +/- 9% change from control) at 1.75 MAC. Desflurane preserved mean arterial pressure to a greater degree than did equianesthetic concentrations of isoflurane. This result was attributed to a smaller effect on peripheral vascular resistance as compared to isoflurane and greater preservation of myocardial contractility as evaluated by peak positive left ventricular dP/dt and the rate of increase of ventricular pressure at 50 mmHg (dP/dt50) compared to other volatile anesthetics. Increases in diastolic coronary blood flow velocity (+19 +/- 6 and +35 +/- 12% change from control at 1.75 MAC, respectively) and concomitant decreases in diastolic coronary vascular resistance (-41 +/- 12 and -58 +/- 6% change from control at 1.75 MAC, respectively) were produced by desflurane and isoflurane. In the presence of autonomic nervous system blockade, the actions of desflurane and isoflurane were nearly identical with the exception of coronary vasodilation. After autonomic nervous system blockade, isoflurane increased coronary blood flow velocity, but desflurane did not. Furthermore, both desflurane and isoflurane continued to produce less depression of myocardial contractility than did halothane and enflurane. In summary, at equianesthetic concentrations, desflurane and isoflurane produced similar hemodynamic effects; however, in the absence of drugs that inhibit autonomic reflexes, desflurane had less negative inotropic activity and produced less decrease in arterial pressure. The coronary vasodilator actions of desflurane and isoflurane within the limitations of this model were not similar. When the increase in heart rate and rate-pressure product produced by desflurane were prevented in dogs with autonomic nervous system blockade, desflurane produced no change in coronary blood flow velocity.     

Intrabiliary pressure changes produced by inhalational anesthetics in dogs]

The common bile duct pressure was studied in dogs under inhalation of 1.0 MAC and 2.0 MAC of halothane, enflurane, isoflurane or sevoflurane. A double lumen catheter was inserted into the common bile duct through the cholecystic duct for the measurement of intraductal pressure in the choledochoduodenal junction. The intra-bile-ductal pressure (IBP) was measured with constant rate infusion methods every 10 minutes for one hour. After obtaining control IBP measurements, 44 dogs received randomly either 1.0 MAC (n = 6 in each group) or 2.0 MAC (n = 5 in each group) of each four inhalational anesthetics, through a non-rebreathing system. The decreases in IBP produced by 1.0 MAC concentrations of four inhalation anesthetics were not statistically significant although there was a decline from control measurements obtained for each group. The elevations of IBP following 2.0 MAC halothane, isoflurane or sevoflurane were significantly depressed and were 38.3 +/- 21.2, 67.5 +/- 23.8, 63.7 +/- 23.7 (%, mean +/- SD) of the control levels, respectively. However, 2.0 MAC enflurane produced no significant decrease in IBP.     

General anesthetics and regional hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Administration of N2O, fluroxene and isoflurane to the left lower lobe (LLL) of dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital was previously shown to inhibit LLL hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). Using the same experimental model, the present study examined the effect of whole-lung administration of N2O, fluroxene, isoflurane, halothane, and enflurane on left-lower-lobe HPV. Selective ventilation of the LLL with N2 alone caused blood flow to the lobe to decrease 53.3 +/- 3.0 per cent. Responses to LLL hypoxia were remeasured during administration of inhalation anesthetics at 1 and 2 MAC to both the LLL and the rest of the lung. Isoflurane and fluroxene progressively inhibited and at 2 MAC halved lobar HPV. N2O (one third MAC) caused slight but significant inhibition, while halothane and enflurane caused slight and nonsignificant changes in lobar HPV. These effects of whole-lung administration of anesthetics on HPV were almost identical to those obtained when the administration was confined to the test lobe alone. It is concluded that N2O, isoflurane, and fluroxene locally inhibit regional HPV and via this mechanism increase total venous admixture, while halothane and enflurane do not have this effect.     

The effects of sevoflurane, halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on hepatic blood flow and oxygenation in chronically instrumented greyhound dogs.

Inhalational anesthetics produce differential effects on hepatic blood flow and oxygenation that may impact hepatocellular function and drug clearance. In this investigation, the effects of sevoflurane on hepatic blood flow and oxygenation were compared with those of enflurane, halothane, and isoflurane in ten chronically instrumented greyhound dogs. Each dog randomly received enflurane, halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, each at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 MAC concentrations. Mean arterial blood pressure and cardiac output decreased in a dose-dependent fashion during all four anesthetics studied. Heart rate increased compared to control during enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane anesthesia and did not change during halothane anesthesia. Hepatic arterial blood flow and portal venous blood flow were measured by chronically implanted electromagnetic flow probes. Hepatic O2 delivery and consumption were calculated after hepatic arterial, portal venous, and hepatic venous blood gas analysis. Hepatic arterial blood flow was maintained with sevoflurane and isoflurane. Halothane and enflurane reduced hepatic arterial blood flow during all anesthetic levels compared to control (P less than 0.05), with marked reductions occurring with 1.5 and 2.0 MAC halothane concomitant with an increase in hepatic arterial vascular resistance. Portal venous blood flow was reduced with isoflurane and sevoflurane at 1.5 and 2.0 MAC. A somewhat greater reduction in portal venous blood flow occurred during 2.0 MAC sevoflurane (P less than 0.05 compared to control and 1.0 MAC values for sevoflurane). Enflurane reduced portal venous blood flow at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 MAC compared to control. Halothane produced the greatest reduction in portal venous blood flow (P less than 0.05 compared to sevoflurane).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Minimum Alveolar Concentration of Halothane and Enflurane Are Decreased in Early Pregnancy

Background: Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane is decreased in early pregnancy but it is not known whether this occurs to the same extent with other inhalational anesthetics. The MAC of halothane and enflurane were compared in pregnant women undergoing elective termination of pregnancy and in nonpregnant women.

Methods: We studied 16 pregnant women scheduled for termination of pregnancy at 8 to 13 weeks gestation and 16 nonpregnant patients undergoing laparoscopic sterilization. Eight patients in each group received halothane and the others received enflurane. After inhalational induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation, MAC was determined in each patient by observing the motor response to a 10-s, 50-Hz, 80-mA transcutaneous electric tetanic stimulus to the ulnar nerve at varying concentrations of either halothane or enflurane. The end-tidal concentration of inhalational anesthetic was kept constant for at least 15 min before each stimulus and the concentration was varied ultimately in steps of 0.05 vol% (halothane) or 0.10 vol% (enflurane) until a sequence of three alternate responses (move, not move, move) or (not move, move, not move) was obtained. Minimum alveolar concentration for each person was taken as the mean of the two concentrations just permitting and just preventing movement, and MAC for the group was the median of individual MAC values. Confidence intervals were calculated for the percentage decrease in MAC for pregnant women compared with nonpregnant women.

Results: The median (range) MAC of halothane, 0.58 vol% (0.53 to 0.58), and enflurane, 1.15 vol% (0.95-1.25), in the pregnant women were less than those in the nonpregnant women, 0.75 vol% (0.70 to 0.78), P = 0.0005 and 1.65 vol% (1.45 to 1.75), P = 0.0007, respectively. The percentage decrease (95% CI) in MAC for pregnant women was 27% (20 to 27%) for halothane and 30% (24 to 36%) for enflurane.     

Flow-induced Dilation of Rat Coronary Microvessels Is Attenuated by Isoflurane but Enhanced by Halothane

Background: Volatile anesthetics attenuate agonist-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation of coronary arteries. This study considered the hypothesis that the anesthetics may also attenuate flow-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation.

Methods: Rat subepicardial arteries of [approximately] 100 [micro sign]m were monitored for diameter changes in vitro by a video detection system, with the midpoint luminal pressure held constant at 40 mmHg but the pressure gradient (and therefore flow) across each vessel increased from 0 to 80 mmHg, in the presence or absence of 1 or 2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) isoflurane or 1 or 2 MAC halothane, with or without 10 [micro sign]M of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) or 10 [micro sign]M of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin.

Results: Flow-induced dilation was attenuated by L-NNA or indomethacin (P < 0.001 each). It was attenuated by isoflurane in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001). Attenuation by 2 MAC isoflurane persisted even in the presence of L-NNA (P < 0.01) or indomethacin (P < 0.05). On the other hand, flow-induced dilation was enhanced by 2 MAC halothane (P < 0.05). Halothane at 1 MAC had no significant effect. Enhancement by 2 MAC halothane was evident in the presence of indomethacin (P < 0.05) but not L-NNA (P = 0.40).     

Vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade during enflurane, isoflurane, and halothane anesthesia in humans

To determine the effect of the commonly used volatile anesthetics on a vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade, the authors studied 54 patients anesthetized with 1.2 MAC or 2.2 MAC enflurane, isoflurane, or halothane (MAC value includes contribution from 60% nitrous oxide). During 1.2 MAC enflurane, isoflurane, and halothane, the ED50S (the doses depressing twitch tension 50%) for vecuronium were 12.8, 14.7, and 16.9 micrograms/kg, respectively. During 2.2 MAC enflurane, isoflurane, and halothane, the ED50S for vecuronium were 6.3, 9.8, and 13.8 micrograms/kg, respectively (P less than 0.05). Time from injection to peak effect was the same for each anesthetic group (6.5 +/- 0.5 min, mean +/- SD), except for the group given 2.2 MAC enflurane (9.7 +/- 0.6 min) (P less than 0.05). The duration of a 50% block from injection to 90% recovery was the same for each group (mean 20 +/- 4 min), except for the group given 2.2 MAC enflurane (46.5 min) (P less than 0.05). The authors conclude that enflurane is the most potent volatile anesthetic, followed by isoflurane and then halothane, in augmenting a vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade. Increasing the concentration of volatile anesthetic has less effect on a neuromuscular blockade produced by vecuronium than on one produced by other nondepolarizing relaxants (e.g., pancuronium and d-tubucurarine).     

Comparative echocardiographic studies on the negative inotropic effect of halothane, enflurane and isoflurane

Using the afterload-independent end-systolic pressure-dimension-relationship a study was performed in order to investigate whether there are differences in the negative inotropic effects of halothane, enflurane and isoflurane at 1 MAC in 70% N2O. 30 patients of ASA-groups I and II were studied. Using transoesophageal 2d- and m-mode echocardiography the end-systolic-pressure-dimension-relationship was established and the slope (parameter of contractility) determined. The slope decreased significantly (paired Wilcoxon-test 2 alpha less than 0.01) with halothane (68.5/46.5 mmHg/cm), enflurane (56/48 mm Hg/cm) and isoflurane (63/35 mmHg/cm). There is no difference between the three groups (Kruskal-Wallis-test 2 alpha greater than 0.05). The negative inotropic effects of halothane, enflurane and isoflurane at 1 MAC in 70% N2O are the same. The vasodilation caused by isoflurane enables better pump function compared to halothane and enflurane, but may cause severe hypotension. We conclude that for cardiac risk patients isoflurane has no outstanding advantages in comparison to halothane and enflurane.