SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY

UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SCIENCE,TIRUPATI
DEPT. OF VETERINARY SURGERY AND RADIOLOGY
TRACKING PROGRAM : ANAESTHESIOLOGY
TOPIC : INHALANT ANAESTHETICS

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED TO
K.VASUDHA, Dr. VEENA,
TV/2015-76. PROFFESOR.
INHALANT ANAESTHETICS
 DEFINITION
“The Inhalant Anaesthetics are gas or
volatile liquid that produces general anaesthesia
when inhaled”.
These are absorbed from alveoli to blood stream
and blood is carried to brain.
Primarily eliminated through LUNGS.
 PROPERTIES OF IDEAL ANAESTHETIC
 Non irritant
 Non inflammable
 Non explosive
 Pleasant to inhale
 Minimal metabolism in the body
 Minimal organ depression
 Low blood gas solubility
 Adequate muscle relaxant action
 Rapid induction and recovery
INHALANT ANAESTHETIC MACHINE
Inhalant
anaesthetics are
given through
inhalant
anaesthetic
machines.
 METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION
There are mainly four methods of administration.
1. Open Insufflation
2. Semi Open System Without Non Breathing
Valves.
3. Semi Open System With Non Breathing Valves.
4. Semi Closed And Closed Systems.
EXAMPLES OF INHALANT ANAESTHETICS
Ether
Halothane
Isoflurane
Desflurane
Sevoflurane
Nitrous oxide
MINIMAL ALVEOLAR CONCENTRATION
• “The alveolar concentration of
anaesthetic that is needed to prevent
movement in 50% of subjects in response to
surgical stimulus.”
• Anaesthetic dose is commonly determined in
terms of multiples of MAC ie;1.5 times of
MAC.
 FACTORS AFFECTING MAC
• Hypothermia
• Hyponatremia
• Hypotension Decreases MAC
• Pregnancy
• Geriatric age
• Hyperthermia
• Hypernatremia Increases MAC
• CNS Stimulating drugs
 INHALANT MAC in DOGS MAC in cats

Halothane 0.87% 1.19%

Isoflurane 1.3% 1.6%

Desflurane 7.2% 9.8%

Sevoflurane 2.3% 2.6%

Nitrous oxide 188% 255%

 BLOOD GAS PARTITION CO EFFICIENT
• Also called as OSTWALDS COEFFICIENT
• It is the ratio of concentration of compound in
one solvent to the concentration in another
solvent at equilibrium.
• It shows how the gas will partition itself
between two phases at equilibrium.
• Higher partition coefficient = higher
lipophilicity = higher potency =higher
solubility.
• Higher solubility=more anaesthetic needs to
be dissolved= slower onset.
• MAC and blood gas partition coefficient are
inversely related.
 ETHER
Colourless
Pungent smell
Highly volatile liquid
Induction and recovery is slow
Good muscle relaxant
Irritant
Available at low cost
SIDE EFFECTS
Causes excessive salivation
Increase in respiratory mucous recreations
Interferes with respiration
Sometimes may also lead to
Oliguria
Post Anaesthetic Nausea
Cardiac Arrhythmia
 HALOTHANE
Non inflammable
Non irritant
Non explosive
Fast acting
Quick recovery
Less soluble than ether
SIDE EFFECTS
Arrhythmia
Dose dependant cardiac depression activity
Depressed respiration
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Post anaesthetic shivering
 ISOFLURANE
• Less potent than halothane
• Non Inflammable and Non Explosive
• Good Cardiovascular Stability
• Low blood solubility
• Resistance to hepatic metabolism
• Suitable for patients with compromised
hepatic function.
SIDE EFFECTS
Depression of cardiovascular system
CNS Depression
Affects ventilation.
 DESFLURANE
Popular in DOGS.
Less soluble
Quicker induction
Rapid recovery
As it boils at close to room
temperature,electronically controlled
vaporisers are required.
Side effects are similar to that of Isoflurane.
 SEVOFLURANE
Less potent and less soluble in blood than
Halothane and Isoflurane.
Minimal analgesic property
More rapid induction and rapid change in
anaesthetic depth.
Highly expensive
Hence hinderance in veterinary patients.
 NITROUS OXIDE
• Oldest Inhalant Anaesthetic
• Inert
• Non inflammable and non explosive
• Non irritant
• High MAC value
• Use of nitrous oxide in veterinary anaesthesia
has four main indications.
1. MAC sparing effect when used in
combination with potent inhalant.
2. Supplement analgesia during surgical
procedure.
3. Speed induction of inhalant anaesthesia
through “SECOND GAS EFFECT”.(large volume
of nitrous oxide is taken up from alveoli into
pulmonary capillary blood ,conc. of gases
remaining in alveoli is increased.)
4. Used as sole anaesthetic in debilitated
patients.
At sub anaesthetic dose, it is a very good
analgesic.
Should not be used in patients with
respiratory compromise.
Ex. Pneumothorax,Pneumoperitoneum.
INHALANT INDUCTION MAINTENANCE
DOSE DOSE
Halothane 1-4% 0.5-2%

Isoflurane 2-4% 1-2%

Desflurane 12-18% 8-10%

Sevoflurane 4-5% 2.5-4%

 REFERENCES
• INHALANT ANAESTHETICS BY ROBERT D.
KEEGAN.
• RUMINANT SURGERY BY R.P.S. TYAGI,JIT
SINGH.
• A TEXTBOOK OF VETERINARY SURGERY AND
RADIOLOGY.
• INTERNET SOURCE.