Liver function after sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia in neurosurgical patients

Purpose

Although both sevoflurane and isoflurane are thought to be less hepatotoxic than halothane or enflurane, recent case reports have described liver injury after sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia. There are no studies comparing liver function after sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia. The purpose of this study was to compare serum liver enzyme concentrations in patients receiving either sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia prospectively.

Methods

Ninety patients scheduled for elective neurosurgery were studied. Serum concentrations of aspartame aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ- glutamyl transpeptidase (GTP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured before and, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 days after either sevoflurane (45 patients) or isoflurane (45 patients) anaesthesia.

Results

AST ALT and GTP increased peaking seven days after anaesthesia, especially in the isoflurane group. The numbers of patients with abnormal values in AST and ALT were not different in the isoflurane from that in the sevoflurane group. The increase in TBil peaked one day after anaesthesia in both groups.

Conclusion

Even in a small number of patients, isoflurane induced an elevation of serum levels of liver enzymes more frequently than did sevoflurane three to 14 days after anaesthesia.     

Recovery from sevoflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia after outpatient gynaecological laparoscopy

As the low blood solubility (blood gas partition coefficient 0.69) of sevoflurane suggests a rapid emergence from anaesthesia, recovery from sevoflurane anaesthesia was compared to isoflurane in outpatient gynaecological laparoscopy. Fifty ASA I or II, consenting women participated in a randomised, controlled and single blind study. The patients received, after induction of anaesthesia with propofol, either sevoflurane or isoflurane, both with 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen, for maintenance of anaesthesia. The study drug was administered at 1 MAC (end tidal concentration 0.6% for sevoflurane and 0.5% for isoflurane) but adjusted in 0.5 MAC steps, if clinically indicated. Before the end of surgery the end tidal concentration of the study drug was reduced to 0.5 MAC. Recovery assessments were made from the time anaesthetic gases were discontinued. The subjects were able to open eyes in 2.3 (0.8–7.0) min and 4.1 (2.0–6.8) min, orientate in 2.8 (1.0–6.8) min and 4.7 (2.2–8.3) min and follow orders in 2.6 (0.7–6.8) min and 4.3 (1.2–7.3) min, in the sevoflurane and isoflurane groups, respectively ( P <0.05) [median (range)]. Walking was achieved in 72 (24–464) min and 66 (35—134) min, tolerance of oral fluids in 37 (15–88) min and 35 (45–161) min and voiding in 262 (96–459) min and 217 (52–591) min in the sevoflurane and isoflurane groups, respectively (NS). Overall home readiness was achieved in 281 (96–708) min after sevoflurane group and 242 (96–591) min after isoflurane (NS). Postoperative nausea and vomiting was common in both groups (55% for sevoflurane and 45% for isoflurane) and contributed to three subjects in the sevoflurane group and four in the isoflurane group being admitted to hospital.     

Liver and renal function after repeated sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia

Purpose

To compare retrospectively liver and renal function after repeated exposure (twice) to sevoflurane or isoflurane.

Methods

Sixty patients were studied for liver and renal function after repeated exposure within 30 to 180 days to sevoflurane (30 patients) or isoflurane (30 patients). Serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GTP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were measured before and, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after surgery. Qualitative analyses of urinary protein and glucose were done 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery.

Results

The number of patients with abnormal values in AST ALT and GTP was larger in the isoflurane than in the sevoflurane group. BUN and Cr were within normal range after anaesthesia in either group. Renal excretion of protein and glucose increased one and three days after anaesthesia with no difference between the anaesthetics. None of the variables showed differences between the first and second anaesthesia after either anaesthetic.

Conclusion

Repeat exposure to sevoflurane or isoflurane within 30 to 180 days had no additional risk of increasing serum concentration of liver enzymes or increasing urinary excretion of protein and glucose compared with the first exposure to the same anaesthetic.     

Recovery after anaesthesia for pulmonary surgery: desflurane, sevoflurane and isoflurane

We have studied maintenance and recovery profiles after general anaesthesia with sevoflurane, desflurane and isoflurane in 100 patients undergoing pulmonary surgery. End-tidal concentrations of anaesthetic required to maintain mean arterial pressure and heart rate within 20% of baseline values were 1.4 +/- 0.6% for sevoflurane, 3.4 +/- 0.9% for desflurane and 0.7 +/- 0.3% for isoflurane. The three anaesthetics had comparable haemodynamic effects and arterial oxygenation during one- lung ventilation. Emergence was twice as fast with desflurane than with sevoflurane or isoflurane (mean times to extubation: 8.9 (SD 5.0) min, 18.0 (17.0) min and 16.2 (11.0) min for desflurane, sevoflurane and isoflurane, respectively). Early recovery (Aldrete score, cognitive and psychomotor functions) was also more rapid after desflurane. In pulmonary surgery, desflurane, but not sevoflurane, allowed more rapid emergence and earlier recovery than isoflurane.      

Recovery and discharge of patients after long propofol infusion vs isoflurane anaesthesia for ambulatory surgery

Fifty unpremedicated patients scheduled for outpatient restorative dentistry and/or oral surgery lasting 2 to 4 h were anaesthetized with either propofol infusion or isoflurane inhalation. Before induction of anaesthesia with propofol (2.5 mg.kg-1), all patients were given 75 mg of diclofenac and 0.01 mg.kg-1 vecuronium intravenously. Intubation was facilitated with suxamethonium (1.5 mg.kg-1) and anaesthesia was maintained in random order either with propofol infusion (12 mg.kg-1.h-1 for the first 20 min, 9 mg.kg-1.h-1 for the next 20 min, and 6 mg.kg-1.h-1 for the rest of the anaesthesia) or with isoflurane (inspired concentration 1-2.5%), both with nitrous oxide and oxygen (30%). The patients breathed spontaneously using a non-rebreathing circuit. Patients given propofol infusion became re-orientated faster (11.0 +/- 5.5 min vs. 16.5 +/- 7.5 min; P less than 0.01) and at 30 min walked along a straight line better (P less than 0.01). At 60 min, none of the propofol patients displayed an unsteady gait, whereas 11 of the 25 isoflurane patients did (P less than 0.001). None of the patients receiving propofol had emesis at the clinic, compared with 10 of the 25 patients receiving isoflurane (P less than 0.001). The overall incidence of emesis was 2 of 25 and 14 of 25 in the propofol and isoflurane groups, respectively (P less than 0.01). Patients receiving propofol were discharged home earlier than patients receiving isoflurane (80 +/- 14 min and 102 +/- 32 min, respectively; P less than 0.01). It is concluded that propofol allows early discharge of patients, even after long anaesthesias.     

腹部手术患者吸入七氟醚与异氟醚麻醉恢复的比较

目的比较腹部手术患者吸入七氟醚与异氟醚麻醉恢复的情况。方法全麻下行开腹手术患者40例,随机分为2组（n=20）：七氟醚组（S组）及异氟醚组（Ⅰ组）。麻醉诱导后行气管插管,机械通气。诱导后吸入纯氧,氧流量2 L/min,30min后调整为1 L/min。手术开始前,调整吸入麻醉药的呼气末浓度为1.0 MAC。麻醉维持：吸入七氟醚或异氟醚,间断静脉注射罗库溴铵和芬太尼,维持血压和心率波动幅度不超过基础值30%。缝皮结束时,停止吸入七氟醚或异氟醚,纯氧流量调整为5 L/min。记录睁眼时间（停止吸入麻醉药到睁眼的时间）、拔除气管导管时间（停止吸入麻醉药到拔除气管导管的时间）、Aldrete评分达到9分时间（从停止吸入麻醉药计时）及麻醉后恢复室（PACU）停留时间。记录吸入麻醉药用量。结果与Ⅰ组比较,S组睁眼时间、拔除气管导管时间、Aldrete评分达到9分时间及PACU停留时间缩短（P〈0.05）,吸入麻醉药的总用量和单位时间用量差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论与异氟醚比较,吸入七氟醚患者麻醉恢复较快,且麻醉恢复质量较好。     

Recovery of elderly patients from two or more hours of desflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia

Background. The solubility of desflurane compared with sevofluranesuggests more rapid recovery from desflurane anaesthesia. Thiscould be important after prolonged anaesthesia and fast recoverymay be advantageous in the elderly where slow recovery of mentalfunction is a concern. We compared emergence from desfluranevs sevoflurane in elderly patients undergoing two or more hoursof anaesthesia. Methods. Fifty ASA physical status I, II, or III patients, 65yr of age or older, undergoing anaesthesia expected to lasttwo or more hours were randomly assigned to receive desflurane/nitrousoxide or sevoflurane/nitrous oxide anaesthesia. Patients weregiven 1–2 µg kg^–1 fentanyl i.v. and anaesthesiawas induced with propofol 1.5–2.5 mg kg^–1 i.v. andmaintained with either desflurane 2–6% or sevoflurane0.6–1.75% with nitrous oxide 65% in oxygen. Inspired anaestheticconcentrations were adjusted to obtain adequate surgical anaesthesiaand to maintain mean arterial pressure within 20% of baselinevalues. Early and intermediate recovery times were recorded.Digit-Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) scores and Visual AnalogScale (VAS) scores for pain and nausea were recorded beforepre-medication and every 15 min in the Post Anaesthesia CareUnit (PACU) until patients were discharged. Results. Early recovery times are given as median, quartiles.The times to extubation (5 (4–9); 9 (5–13) min),eye opening (5 (3–5); 11 (8–16) min), squeezingfingers on command (7 (4–9); 12 (8–17) min); andorientation (7 (5–9); 16 (10–21) min) were significantlyless (P<0.05) for desflurane than for sevoflurane. Intermediaterecovery, as measured by the DSST and time to ready for dischargefrom the PACU (56 (35–81); 71 (61–81) min) was similarin the two groups. Conclusions. Early but not intermediate recovery times of elderlypatients undergoing a wide range of surgical procedures requiringtwo or more hours of anaesthesia is significantly (P     

Haemodynamic comparison of sevoflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia in surgical patients

Purpose

To compare the haemodynamic responses to surgical incision during sevoflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia and to compare the haemodynamic effects of each anaesthetic alone with those obtained using an equipotent mixture of each anaesthetic plus N₂O dunng steady-state surgical stimulation.

Methods

Twenty-four patients undergoing gastrectomy were randomized to receive sevoflurane (n = 12) or isoflurane (n = 12). At 1.5 MAC. haemodynamic measurements were performed before and after surgical incision. During intestinal anastomosis, patients in each group were given (in random order) either 1.5 MAC of the designated anaesthetic or 0.85 MAC of the volatile plus 0.65 MAC N₂O. Haemodynamic measurements were repeated under each condition.

Results

One patient in the sevoflurane group and two in the isoflurane group were excluded from the incision study because of hypotension. In both groups, incision increased the heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary artenal pressure (MPAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI). There were no intergroup differences in the effects of incision. Inclusion of N₂O resulted in an increase of MPAP (P < 0.05) in both groups, an increase of central venous pressure and PCWP in the sevoflurane group (P < 0.005). and a decrease of HR (P < 0.005) and an increase of SVRI (P < 0.05) in the isoflurane group. There were no intergroup differences in the effects of N₂O.

Conclusions

At 1.5 MAC, sevoflurane and isoflurane do not prevent the haemodynamic response to incision. The haemodynamic effects of each volatile anaesthetic with N₂O are minimal compared with those of equi-MAC volatile alone.     

Coagulation assessment in healthy pigs undergoing single xenon anaesthesia and combinations with isoflurane and sevoflurane

BACKGROUND: With the introduction of new anaesthetics into clinical practice possible side effects of these novel anaesthetics have to be evaluated. This study was performed to clarify whether xenon or combinations of xenon with isoflurane or sevoflurane modify blood coagulation. METHODS: The study was performed in 20 healthy pigs which first underwent xenon anaesthesia (65 Vol%) and were then randomly assigned to combinations of xenon and isoflurane or sevoflurane at varying concentrations. During anaesthesia the following parameters were controlled: aPTT, PT, fibrinogen concentrations and thrombelastographic measurements. RESULTS: Xenon monoanaesthesia did not alter significantly any coagulation parameter. When isoflurane was introduced the aPTT showed a significant increase while fibrinogen concentration decreased. The introduction of sevoflurane led also to a decrease in fibrinogen concentration, while the aPTT was unchanged. These decreases in fibrinogen concentration were not accompanied by reduced maximal clot strength or elevated fibrinolysis evaluated by thrombelastography. Although the above-described changes were statistically significant, none of the parameters throughout the experiment exceeded the limits of normal values. CONCLUSION: In our study, xenon monoanaesthesia and combinations of xenon with isoflurane and sevoflurane did not lead to pathologic alterations in the measured coagulation parameters.     

Maintenance of anaesthesia with sevoflurane or isoflurane effects on adverse airway events in smokers

Patients who smoke are at risk of coughing and other adverse airway events during induction of anaesthesia. We have studied the incidence of adverse airway events in smokers under isoflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia after induction with propofol. Smokers inhaling isoflurane had a 45% incidence of adverse airway events compared to 10% in those inhaling sevoflurane (p = 0.013).     

Tidal breathing technique for induction of anaesthesia with high concentration of sevoflurane, isoflurane or halothane in infants undergoing cardiac surgery

Aims nduction characteristics of sevoflurane were compared with isoflurane and halothane in 45 acyanotic infants undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. Methods Infants were randomized into three groups of 15 each. None of them received premedication. In group I induction was done with 8% sevoflurane in 100% oxygen, in group II with 5% isoflurane in 100% oxygen and in group III with 4% halothane in 100% oxygen. Induction time, intubation time, haemodynamic variables and side effects like coughing, laryngospasm, breatholding and excessive crying were noted. Results The mean induction time taken as loss of eyelash reflex was significantly lower in sevoflurane group (52.80±8.5 seconds) as compared to isoflurane (196.80±49.13 seconds) and halothane groups (168.72±9.1 seconds) (p value <0.001). The mean intubation time in sevoflurane group was 2.97±0.48 minutes followed by halothane group (5.10±2.9 minutes) and isoflurane group (6.70±1.77 minutes) (p value < 0.001). The incidence of coughing and laryngospasm was observed in 6% (1 in 15), each in sevoflurane and halothane groups and 20% (3 in 15) cases in isoflurane group. Haemodynamics were comparable in both sevoflurane and isoflurane groups. However in halothane group significant decrease in mean arterial pressure was observed. Conclusion Sevoflurane anaesthesia is a better alternative for induction in infants undergoing cardiac surgery as compared to isoflurane and halothane. (Ind J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 2001; 17:233-237)     

Recovery and pharmacokinetic parameters of desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane in patients undergoing urologic procedures.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the pharmacokinetics and the speed of recovery after inhalation anesthesia with desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane in elective surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: 30 ASA physical status I and II adults presenting for elective surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Anesthesia was induced with etomidate and maintained with desflurane (n = 10), sevoflurane (n = 10), or isoflurane (n = 10) and nitrous oxide. The inhalation drugs were titrated until an adequate clinical depth of anesthesia was reached. At the end of anesthesia, the patients breathed oxygen via the endotracheal tube and after extubation via a face mask. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The groups were similar with respect to age, weight, duration of anesthesia, and mean arterial pressure. Mean end-tidal concentration (FA = FA0) at the end of anesthesia was 6.34 +/- 1.15% after desflurane, 1.85 +/- 0.42% after sevoflurane, and 1.10 +/- 0.24% after isoflurane. FA/FA0 decreased significantly faster with desflurane than with isoflurane, while there was little difference between desflurane and sevoflurane. As for the terminal half-life (t1/2), there were no differences among the groups (8.16 +/- 3.15 min after desflurane, 9.47 +/- 4.46 min after sevoflurane, and 10.0 +/- 5.57 min after isoflurane). The time until a command was followed for the first time was the same in all three groups (13.0 +/- 4.7 min after desflurane, 13.4 +/- 4.4 min after sevoflurane, and 13.6 +/- 3.4 min after isoflurane). There was no significant correlation between duration of anesthesia and the time until recovery. CONCLUSIONS: There are only minor differences with regard to the recovery phase in premedicated patients who receive clinically titrated inhalation anesthesia with desflurane, sevoflurane, or isoflurane.     

Recovery after oral surgery with halothane, enflurane, isoflurane or propofol anaesthesia

We have compared the recovery characteristics of four differenttechniques for maintenance of anaesthesia in 99 day-case patientsadmitted for oral surgery. All patients received propofol forinduction of anaesthesia followed by halothane, enflurane, isofluraneor propofol infusion for maintenance of anaesthesia. Each patientwas subjected to a battery of psychometric tests which includedSpielberger state, trait, mood stress and mood arousal questionnaires,Maddox-Wing test and five-choice serial reaction time. All testswere performed before operation and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 24 and48 h after operation. Performance in the reaction time testdecreased significantly in the immediate postoperative period,returning almost to preoperative values by 4 h. However, onlythose patients who received enflurane or propofol had returnedto their performance level before surgery by 4 h, although allfour groups had achieved this target by 24 h. There was a furtherimprovement in performance at 48 h. Anxiety and stress werehigh before surgery and decreased rapidly in the postoperativeperiod. The Maddox-Wing test demonstrated a significant impairmentin performance in the first 1 h after surgery, which returnedto normal by discharge at 4 h. There were no significant differencesbetween the four groups in these latter tests. (Br. J. Anaesth.1994; 72: 559–566)     

Effects of isoflurane, sevoflurane and propofol anaesthesia on jugular venous oxygen saturation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery

We investigated the effect of sevoflurane, isoflurane and propofolon jugular venous bulb oxygen saturation (Sj_O2) in 21 patientsundergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) duringand after normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Patientsreceived a standardized anaesthetic consisting of fentanyl,midazolam and were then randomly allocated to receive eitherisoflurane, sevoflurane or propofol for maintenance. Sj_O2 valueswere significantly lower than baseline 1 h after CPB in thepropofol but not the isoflurane or the sevoflurane groups. Furthermore,Sj_O2 values were significantly higher during CPB in the isofluranegroup (P=0.0081) and significantly lower 6 h after CPB in thesevoflurane group (P=0.0447) when compared to the propofol group.We conclude that jugular venous desaturation during and afternormothermic CPB is more likely during propofol anaesthesia.     

Platelet aggregation is impaired during anaesthesia with sevoflurane but not with isoflurane

Purpose

Halothane suppresses platelet aggregationin vitro and ex vivo, and prolongs bleeding time. In a previous invitro study we demonstrated that sevoflurane had a more suppressive effect on platelet aggregation than did halothane. The present study investigated whether the clinical use of sevoflurane affected platelet aggregationex vivo.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients undergoing minor elective surgery were divided randomly into sevoflurane and isoflurane groups. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentoneiv, and was maintained with sevoflurane or isoflurane with nitrous oxide. Blood was collected to measure platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and epinephrine. The first (control) blood collection was performed in the operating room before induction of anaesthesia, and the second 5–10 min after tracheal intubation but before the start of surgery, when the end-expiratory sevoflurane or isoflurane concentrations had stabilised at 1–1.5 times the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) and mean artenal pressures were between 80–120% of preanaesthetic values.

Results

In all samples obtained dunng sevoflurane anaesthesia (n= 15), ADP and epinephnne could not induce secondary aggregation, although they did induce pnmary aggregation. In contrast, in the isoflurane group, both primary and secondary aggregation were observed in 14 out of 15 patients, and secondary aggregation was abolished in only one of the samples obtained dunng anaesthesia.

Conclusion

Sevoflurane, but not isoflurane, alters platelet aggregation in the clinical situation, possibly by suppression of thromboxane A₂ formation.     

Comparison of recovery after intermediate duration of anaesthesia with sevoflurane and isoflurane

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare recovery from anaesthesia after sevoflurane and isoflurane were administered to children for more than 90 min. METHODS: After parental informed consent and ethical committee approval, children aged between 2 months and 6 years, ASA I or II, were randomly allocated to sevoflurane (n=20) or isoflurane (n=20) groups. Halogenated agents were discontinued following skin closure and patients were ventilated mechanically with 100% oxygen until minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) values awake were obtained (endtidal concentrations 0.6 MAC for sevoflurane and 0.4 MAC for isoflurane). Effective perioperative analgesia was provided by a caudal block. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) duration of anaesthesia was 132 +/- 38 min and 139 +/- 49 min for sevoflurane and isoflurane, respectively. Early recovery occurred sooner in the isoflurane group (time to extubation was 16 +/- 7 min and 11 +/- 5 min, P<0.01; Aldrete's score at 0 min was 5.5 +/- 1.5 and 7.4 +/- 1.8, P<0.001, respectively). But the time to be fit for discharge from recovery room was similar at 136 +/- 18 min and 140 +/- 20 min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: After intermediate duration of anaesthesia administered to children for up to 90 min, isoflurane and sevoflurane allow recovery after approximatively the same lapse of time.     

Pulmonary mechanics during isoflurane,sevoflurane and desflurane anaesthesia

This study was designed to investigate the effects of desflurane on bronchial smooth muscle tone, following intubation and to compare these effects with isoflurane and sevoflurane. Patients were randomly divided into three groups to receive, isoflurane (n = 22), sevoflurane (n = 23), or desflurane (n = 22). Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), respiratory resistance (Rr) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn) measurements were recorded at three time points; After the beginning of ventilation and before inhalation agent was started, following 5 min of ventilation with 1 MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) inhalation agent and following 5 min of 2 MAC inhalation agent. We found that all inhalation agents caused a significant decrease in Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP) and respiratory resistance (Rr), and an increase in dynamic compliance (Cdyn) at 1 MAC concentrations. When the agent concentration was increased to 2 MAC, desflurane caused a significant increase in Rr and PIP and a decrease in Cdyn. We concluded that desflurane, like isoflurane and sevoflurane, exhibits a bronchodilator effect at 1 MAC concentration. However, increasing the concentration to 2 MAC caused an increase in airway resistance with desflurane, whilst sevoflurane and isoflurane continued to have a bronchodilator effect.     

Changes in hepatocellular integrity during and after desflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia in patients undergoing breast surgery

We have assessed hepatocellular integrity in patients anaesthetized with desflurane or isoflurane using glutathione transferase Alpha (GSTA) as a sensitive indicator. Volatile anaesthetic was administered to 72 women at 0.7 MAC for 25 min and thereafter at 1.0 MAC. GSTA was measured with a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay in serum samples. Mild or moderate increases in GSTA were found in approximately 40% of patients immediately after anaesthesia. In the desflurane group (n = 30) the increase in GSTA concentration was from a baseline value of the geometric mean of 1.3 microgram litre-1 (95% confidence interval 0.9-1.9 microgram litre-1) to a peak of 2.6 (1.8-3.8) micrograms litre- 1. The corresponding increase in the isoflurane group (n = 31) was from 1.3 (0.9-1.9) microgram litre-1 to 3.0 (2.2-4.2) micrograms litre-1. The change in GSTA concentration was significant in both groups but not between groups. No predictive factors for the increase in GSTA concentrations were found. Increased GSTA concentrations were not accompanied by increases in amino-transferases. We conclude that desflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia were associated with a mild subclinical disturbance of hepatocellular integrity.      

Increase in serum creatine phosphokinase concentrations after suxamethonium during sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia in children

We have studied whether sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia modulates the effect of suxamethonium on serum concentrations of enzyme markers of skeletal muscle function in paediatric patients. Eighty patients undergoing bilateral tonsillectomy, aged 5-12 yr, were allocated randomly to receive anaesthesia with either sevoflurane and nitrous oxide or isoflurane and nitrous oxide. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations were measured before, and at 30 min and 20 h after induction of anaesthesia. Mean CK concentrations increased from 97.0 (SD 17.3) to 478 (170) iu litre-1 in the sevoflurane group and from 86.9 (22.4) to 628 (223) iu litre-1 in the isoflurane group, 20 h after induction of anaesthesia. Mean peak serum CK concentration in the sevoflurane group (478 (170) iu litre-1) was significantly less (P < 0.05) than that in the isoflurane group (628 (223) iu litre-1). Mean serum AST concentration increased from 17.5 (4.9) to 31.7 (3.5) iu litre-1 in the sevoflurane group and from 17.3 (2.4) to 34.8 (5.7) iu litre-1 in the isoflurane group, 20 h after induction of anaesthesia. Mean peak serum AST concentrations in the sevoflurane group were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in the isoflurane group. There were no significant differences in serum ALT or LDH concentrations between the groups either before or after anaesthesia. We conclude that administration of suxamethonium during either sevoflurane or isoflurane anaesthesia caused a marked increase in serum CK concentrations in paediatric patients. The clinical significance of this finding is uncertain.      

Rocuronium potency and recovery characteristics during steady-state desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane or propofol anaesthesia

We have studied the potency and recovery characteristics of rocuronium during 1.25 MAC of isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane or propofol anaesthesia in 84 patients using electromyography. Potency was determined by a cumulative bolus technique. The mean ED50 of rocuronium was 169 (SD 41), 126 (32), 121 (28) and 136 (25) micrograms kg-1 during propofol, isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane anaesthesia, respectively (ns), and ED90 values were 358 (62), 288 (29), 289 (28) and 250 (28) micrograms kg-1, respectively. The reduction in ED90 was statistically significant for all three inhalation anaesthetics (P < 0.05) compared with propofol. After 120 min, the cumulative infusion rate of rocuronium to obtain twitch depression of 90-95% was 9.0 (1.9), 6.3 (1.6), 6.1 (2.0) and 6.1 (1.1) micrograms kg-1 min-1 during propofol, isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane anaesthesia, respectively (P < 0.01). Recovery index was 22 (13), 27 (10), 28 (13) and 26 (14) min under propofol, isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane anaesthesia, respectively (ns). There were no significant differences between the three potent inhalation anaesthetics in relation to potency, infusion requirements or recovery characteristics of rocuronium.