Enflurane respiratory effects

Respiratory System The respiratory effects of enflurane are similar to those of halothane. Enflurane produces a greater depression of the ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercarbia than do either halothane or isoflurane and, like other inhalational anesthetics, is an effective bronchodilator. 

Respiratory System As with halothane and enflurane, desflurane causes a concentration-dependent increase in respiratory rate and a decrease in tidal volume. At concentrations <1 MAC, the net effect is to preserve minute ventilation at concentrations >1 MAC, minute ventilation is markedly depressed, resulting in elevated arterial CO tension (Pa -Q ). Patients spontaneously breathing desflurane at concentrations greater than 1.5 MAC have extreme elevations of Pa. and may become apneic. Desflurane is a bronchodUator it also is a strong airway irritant and can cause coughing, breath-holding, laryngospasm, and excessive respiratory secretions. Thus, desflurane is not used for induction of anesthesia. 

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