Inhalational anesthetic
volatile or gaseous anesthetic compound delivered by inhalation
An inhalational anesthetic is a chemical compound possessing general anesthetic properties that is delivered via inhalation. They are administered through a face mask, laryngeal mask airway or tracheal tube connected to an anesthetic vaporiser and an anesthetic delivery system. Agents of significant contemporary clinical interest include volatile anesthetic agents such as isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane, as well as certain anesthetic gases such as nitrous oxide and xenon.
List of inhalational anaesthetic agents
Currently-used agents
Desflurane
Isoflurane
Nitrous oxide
Sevoflurane
Xenon
Previously-used agents
Although some of these are still used in clinical practice and in research, the following anaesthetic agents are primarily of historical interest in developed countries:
Acetylene
Chloroethane (ethyl chloride)
Chloroform
Cyclopropane
Diethyl ether
Divinyl ether
Enflurane
Ethylene
Fluroxene
Halothane (still widely used in the developing world)
Methoxyflurane (still used currently as an inhaled analgesic)
Methoxypropane
Trichloroethylene
Never-marketed / experimental agents
Aliflurane
Cryofluorane
Halopropane
Norflurane
Roflurane
Synthane
Teflurane
Vinyl chloride
Volatile anaesthetics
History
Before 1950, diethyl ether, which has severe risks of nausea, was used. Diethyl ether is extremely flammable, especially in the presence of enriched oxygen mixtures.
James Young Simpson, an obstetrics surgeon, used ethers to help women relieve their labor pains but later deemed them unsuitable. Simpson and his friends tested chloroform, at a dinner party. They woke from unconsciousness pleasantly surprised with its effectiveness. This was the first recorded successful use of halogenated hydrocarbons as anesthetics.
Modern era
Volatile anaesthetic agents share the property of being liquid at room temperature, but evaporating easily for administration by inhalation.
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