Enflurane

Enflurane is not a very commonly used agent in the developing counties although its usage is on in America. It is a newer inhalational agent like that of halothane. Enflurane is halogenated ether.

Enflurane Physical Properties :

  • It is a Colorless gas.
  • It has ethereal odor.
  • It is Non inflammable at clinical concentration but inflammable at higher concentration (above 5%).

Enflurane Anesthetic Properties :

  • It has moderate potency, moderate induction and recovery time.
  • It is not a good analgesic.
  • Muscle relaxation with this anesthetic gas is only moderate.

Enflurane Systemic Effects

Cardiovascular system :

  • Decreases BP, causes bradycardia and so decreases cardiac output.
  • Sensitizes myocardium to adrenaline (but much less than halothane).

Respiratory system: Enflurane causes marked respiratory depression.

Cerebral: It increases intracranial tension like other inhalational agents used in anesthesia. At high doses it produces spike and wave pattern in EEG which culminates into frank tonic clonic seizures.

Renal: It depresses renal function significantly due to decreased renal blood flow.

Hepatic: It also depresses the hepatic functions due to decreased hepatic blood flow.

Enflurane Metabolism :

Fluoride produced at clinical concentrations does not cause nephrotoxicity.

Enflurane Contraindications :

  • Epilepsy.
  • Renal diseases.

Enflurane Drug Interactions :

Isoniazid induces enflurane defluorination.

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