Cardiovascular system anaesthetics

In theory, induction should be rapid, but in practice the inspired vapour concentration must be increased slowly to avoid airway irritation. MAC is 1.15% in 100% oxygen and 0.56% in 30% oxygen, making it less potent than halothane (0.75% and 0.29% at these oxygen concentrations). Isoflurane is the most potent of all the currently available anaesthetic ethers. Recovery from isoflurane anaesthesia is rapid and clear and the drug is suitable for use in day surgery. Cardiovascular system... 

Toxicity relates to the effects of local anaesthetics on ion channels in excitable membranes in the CNS (producing tingling of the lips, slurred speech, decreased levels of consciousness and seizures) and cardiovascular system (causing arrhythmias and decreased myocardial contractility). 

Patients are often already taking drugs affecting the central nervous and cardiovascular systems and there is considerable potential for interaction with anaesthetic drugs. 

All general anaesthetics cause reversible loss of consciousness, but they are also capable of depressing respiratory and cardiovascular centres in the brain and of depressing the cardiovascular system directly. This makes them potentially dangerous in use. 

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