Pharmacology of anaesthetic agents II: inhalation anaesthetic agents

摘要

The first reports of the use of inhalation anaesthetics such as ether (1846), chloroform (1847), and nitrous oxide (1844) began to emerge in the 1840s. Safety issues with early agents, especially chloroform, were quickly recognized and the search for better inhalation agents began with fluorinated ethers and hydrocarbons becoming the main focus of research and development. Since then halothane and enflurane have passed through common usage but have been largely replaced. The inhalation agents used in modern practice include the fluorinated ethers isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane and the gas nitrous oxide (N_2O). The noble gas xenon has impressive anaesthetic properties, but production costs preclude its widespread use. These modern agents have greatly improved the safety, reliability, and applicability of general anaesthesia.