Overview of Sevoflurane as an Volatile Anesthetic - Abstract
Sevoflurane as an Inhalation anesthetic is one of the most commonly used agents in practice today, for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in the operating room.
Sevoflurane is a fluorine halogenated volatile anesthetic. It is a non-irritant and rapid induction agent. In the 90s, halothane was replaced as an induction agent, especially, in pediatric anesthesia. It is a volatile anesthetic suitable for induction of anesthesia, especially in children, due to its pleasant smell, non-irritating effect on the respiratory tract, and rapid increase in alveolar concentration. Although it mildly depresses myocardial contractility, it is a volatile agent that least affects tidal volume and respiratory rate. Its respiratory depression and bronchodilator effect are equivalent to isoflurane. It can cause hypotension by lowering arterial blood pressure. It is not nephrotoxic. Sevoflurane undergoes 3% biotransformation. Despite the presence of free fluorine ions and toxic agents (compound A), no clinical or experimental organ damage has been observed in humans. This mini-review is a general overview of sevoflurane.