Topic overview

Start with the big picture

The lesson groups inhaled anaesthetics into volatile liquids—including halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane and enflurane—and gases such as nitrous oxide and xenon. It outlines their effects on inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission and the resulting global CNS depression. Two key concepts link agent properties with clinical effects: lipid solubility and potency under the Meyer-Overton rule, and the blood-gas partition coefficient, which helps explain the speed of induction and recovery. The overview also introduces MAC and factors that can alter it. Finally, it surveys cardiovascular, respiratory, CNS, renal, hepatic and hematologic effects, along with malignant hyperthermia and other precautions.