Effect of temperature on the solubility of desflurane, sevoflurane, enflurane and halothane in blood

We have investigated the effect of temperature on the blood-gas solubilityof desflurane, sevoflurane, enflurane and halothane. Blood was equilibratedwith gas mixtures of known composition in open cuvette or closed flasktonometers over a temperature range of 29-39 degrees C, and theconcentration of each anaesthetic in blood was measured at 37 degrees C byrepeated headspace analysis using a gas chromatograph. Solubility increasedby 5.4% of the solubility at 37 degrees C for each degree thatequilibration temperature was reduced. This result was true for allanaesthetics in all blood samples, and is in keeping with results for othervolatile anaesthetics.