Solubility of desflurane (I-653), sevoflurane, isoflurane, and halothane in human blood

The blood/gas partition coefficients for the new volatile anesthetic agent desflurane (I-653), sevoflurane, isoflurane, and halothane were determined, simultaneously, in 8 human volunteers to compare the solubilities of these agents in blood. The blood/gas partition coefficient for desflurane 0.49 +/- 0.03 (mean +/- SD)] was smallest, followed by sevoflurane (0.62 +/- 0.04), isoflurane (1.27 +/- 0.06), and halothane (2.46 +/- 0.09). Differences among the anesthetic agents were significant (P less than 0.001). The results of this study confirm that among these agents the solubility of desflurane in human blood is the smallest. The results suggest that the washin and washout of desflurane will be more rapid than that of sevoflurane, isoflurane, and halothane, and the washin and washout of sevoflurane will be more rapid than that of isoflurane and halothane.